Debenhams
This coverage examines Debenhams’ trajectory, strategies, and impact within the UK retail sector. Reporting focuses on store operations, online developments, financial performance, brand repositioning, product ranges, and executive changes. Designed for retail professionals, it offers analysis of commercial decisions, market challenges, and opportunities relevant to department store management and broader apparel and homeware retailing.
-
May- 2020 -28 MayDepartment Stores
Mike Ashley fails to prompt financial investigation into Debenhams
Retail mogul Mike Ashley has failed to trigger an investigation into the financial affairs of embattled department store chain Debenhams, reports have claimed. According to Sky News, Ashley’s lawyers requested that a “provisional liquidator” be appointed to handle the investigation. However, judge Mark Mullen refused to make the appointment during…
Read More » -
11 MayComment
From dark store to hybrid store – adapting to a new world order
It’s safe to say the embattled UK high street had a rocky start to the year, with a reported 18,248 retail jobs lost and 1,211 shops closed in the first two months of the year alone. In fact, in February, the high street saw a 7.8% drop in footfall, as…
Read More » -
7 MayCoronavirus
White Stuff to cut jobs as it prepares for post-lockdown retail
Fashion retailer White Stuff is reportedly set to cut both sales and head office jobs as it prepares for like after lockdown. According to Sky News, the retailer is set to make “significant” redundancies as it anticipates a reduced demand and shorter opening hours once lockdown restrictions are lifted. It…
Read More » -
7 MayDepartment Stores
Debenhams cuts over 1,000 jobs as five stores shutter permanently
Embattled department store chain Debenhams has revealed that five of its stores housed in Intu shopping centres will not reopen post-lockdown, effectively slashing over 1,000 jobs. A Debenhams spokesperson said the retailer will continue to engage in “constructive talks” with its landlords and has agreed terms on the vast majority…
Read More » -
5 MayAdvice
Supermarket Peep: a glimpse at UK shopping behaviours in the now
As we sit in our make-shift offices, attempting to keep a work-life balance and ponder where we will go on our permitted once daily exercise, it’s hard to walk past the local parade of shops or high street and not wonder when or even if normality will ever be the…
Read More » -
Apr- 2020 -30 AprilCoronavirus
Oasis and Warehouse stores closed ‘indefinitely’, 1,800 jobs lost
Over 1,800 employees at fashion retailers Oasis and Warehouse are set to be made redundant after administrators failed to find a new buyer for the retailers. The fashion brands have now been sold to Hilco, a restructuring firm and former owner of HMV. Whilst Hilco agreed to buy the retailer’s…
Read More » -
23 AprilCoronavirus Featured Content
The role of the physical store post-lockdown
The role of the physical store post-lockdown Retailers have been hit by an escalating “perfect storm” of issues recently – digital disruption, business rates increases, a weak Christmas peak, and now the Covid-19 virus. Businesses with greater debts, low cash reserves, and reduced margins were sadly always going to struggle,…
Read More » -
21 AprilCoronavirus Featured Content
Customer contracts in a crisis
We lawyers have been asked a lot of questions about contracts in the past couple of weeks. At this point, I probably don’t need to tell you why. Most of the questions have been along similar lines – “can I get out of this contract?” and “how much will I…
Read More » -
21 AprilClothing & Shoes
Clothing and footwear market forecast to decline by £14bn
The UK clothing and footwear is anticipated to plummet in 2020, falling 26.1% versus 2019, a loss of around £14bn according to data analytics company GlobalData. The firm predicts that with clothing stores expected to gradually reopen in June, footfall will remain low as consumers will be “cautious” about visiting…
Read More » -
20 AprilComment
What’s behind the demise of Cath Kidston?
Sadly, the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent shutting of high street stores has compounded the effects on the already struggling retail sector. Along with other 90s/early 2000s favourites Oasis and Warehouse, homeware and clothing retailer Cath Kidston announced it was going into administration this month. According to Savanta BrandVue Retail data,…
Read More »
