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.
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Apr- 2019 -10 AprilDepartment Stores
Mike Ashley promises to ‘save’ Debenhams
Mike Ashley has made a promise to “save as many Debenhams stores and jobs” as he can similarly to House of Fraser, following the department store going under the control of its lenders. Sports Direct released a statement after Debenhams was placed into administration saying it was a “national scandal”…
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9 AprilDepartment Stores
Debenhams enters pre-pack administration
Debenhams has entered pre-pack administration and gone into the control of its lenders following the department store’s rejection of Sports Direct’s offer to underwrite £150m equity issuance. The pre-pack administration will see all of the company’s shareholders – including Sports Direct which has a 30% stake – wiped out and…
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8 AprilDepartment Stores
Sports Direct makes Debenhams £150m offer
Sports Direct has made an offer to Debenhams to underwrite £150m equity issuance in Mike Ashley’s latest attempt to take control of the embattled department store. The proposal is subject to the conditions that Ashley is appointed CEO of Sports Direct and Debenhams’ lenders agree to write-off (in aggregate) £148m…
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4 AprilShopping Centres
Intu appoints finance boss as new chief exec
Following a nine month search Intu has appointed its current chief financial officer, Matthew Roberts, as its new chief executive with effect from Monday 29 April 2019. Roberts, who has been CFO since May 2010, will succeed David Fischel who will be standing down from the board and leaving intu…
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1 AprilDepartment Stores
Debenhams shareholders back Mike Ashley becoming CEO
Sports Direct has said a number of other shareholders in embattled department store Debenhams have expressed support in Mike Ashley becoming CEO of the company. Ashley’s retail company Sports Direct has an almost 30% stake in Debenhams and as the department store has been seeking funding to help with its…
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Mar- 2019 -29 MarchDepartment Stores
Debenhams advisors should be ‘put in prison’, says Mike Ashley
Mike Ashley has hit out at Debenhams after the department store agreed on a refinancing scheme which could see its shareholders’ stakes wiped out. Debenhams released a statement yesterday (28 March) saying its bondholders were expected to back a £200m restructuring loan. In response, Ashley said “if there were any…
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28 MarchClothing & Shoes
Debenhams bondholders to back £200m restructuring loan
Debenhams bondholders are expected to back a £200m restructuring loan, with a statement today claiming a majority had “provided consent to the amendments sought to the existing notes”. The deadline for bondholders to accept the loan is 5pm tonight (28 March). News of a loan will come as a blow…
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27 MarchHigh Street
Sports Direct considers £61.4m bid for Debenhams
Sports Direct, owned by Mike Ashley, is considering a £61.4m bid to take control over embattled department store chain Debenhams, despite the retailer rejecting its previous proposals. The sportswear retailer said the possible offer is “pre-conditional” upon Debenhams immediately appointing Ashley as its CEO and terminating the noteholder consent solicitation…
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26 MarchClothing & Shoes
Sports Direct considers cash offer for Debenhams
Sports Direct has revealed it is mulling over a cash offer for embattled department store Debenhams, despite the retailer rejecting its previous proposals. Sports Direct said Debenhams’ current restructuring and refinancing process was “likely to result in an adverse outcome” for its existing shareholders. The sportswear retailer has made several…
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25 MarchDepartment Stores
Sports Direct slams Debenhams for rejecting £100m offer
Sports Direct has criticised Debenhams for rejecting its offer to acquire its Danish company Magasin Du Nord for £100m. On Friday (22 March), the struggling department store announced it had secured a £200m refinancing lifeline, shortly after Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct made the proposal which gave Debenhams the 12 month…
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