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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Feb- 2019 -1 FebruaryHigh Street
Moss Bros eyeing Debenhams interim chair
Fashion retailer, Moss Bros is looking at Debenhams interim chair Terry Duddy to replace its outgoing chair Debbie Hewitt. Duddy, who used to lead Home Retail Group, the group responsible for Argos, Habitat and Homebase is on a shortlist of targets according to reports by Sky News. Duddy took over…
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Jan- 2019 -28 JanuaryEconomy
Online retail tax could be unlawful under EU rules, Treasury warns
The government has said taxing online giants, like Amazon, through a sales tax could be illegal under EU rules. Under European Union State aid rules it is illegal for EU countries to give financial advantage to some companies and not others in a way which could distort fair competition. The…
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23 JanuaryAdvice
How retailers can maximise profits and survive in 2019
It is no secret that the past year has been a challenging time for UK retail. Declining profits, closing shops and changing consumer behavior has contributed to the worst year in retail since the global recession a decade ago. Retailers such as Toys R Us, Maplin, New Look, Mothercare, and…
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18 JanuaryAnalysis
Fall of the high street — can retailers survive?
The UK’s high streets are under attack. From the continued rise of online shopping, which has led to a reduction in footfall, to increases in business rates and the Living Wage, Britain’s retailers are struggling. The decline of the British high street has dominated the headlines in 2018 with in…
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18 JanuaryClothing & Shoes
Moodys lowers Debenhams and New Look ratings
Financial services firm Moodys has changed the outlook for both New Look and Debenhams from stable to negative amid both retailer’s current financial troubles. Debenhams posted a poor Christmas trading update and is currently holding discussions to refinance its £320m revolving credit facility. The department store reported a 3.4% drop…
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10 JanuaryDepartment Stores
Debenhams chairman ousted by Mike Ashley
The chairman of Debenhams, Sir Ian Cheshire, has resigned with immediate effect after Mike Ashley and other shareholders voted him off the board at the company’s AGM. It is understood Sports Direct, which is controlled by Mike Ashley and is a 29.7% shareholder in the business, along with Dubai-based Landmark, another…
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10 JanuaryDepartment Stores
Debenhams suffers sales struggle over Christmas
Department store chain Debenhams has reported a 3.4% drop in group like-for-like (LFL) sales for the six weeks to 5 January. Group gross transaction value for the period declined by 3.8%, and and overall UK sales declined by 3.6%, with weak store footfall offset by growth in digital. For the…
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4 JanuaryComment
Carnage on the shop floor
The pressure on the retail sector has been a consistent staple for investors since the end of the financial crisis, partly as a result of changing shopping habits but also down to rising costs and outdated business models. This has been no better illustrated by the way UK consumers behaved…
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Dec- 2018 -21 DecemberAdvice
Will retailers rise to the occasion this Christmas?
Retailers are entering their busiest and potentially most profitable period – but it is also their riskiest. Fail to hit the nail on the head, and retailers could struggle to make it through to next Christmas. House of Fraser, Debenhams and Marks & Spencers are just some of the stores…
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13 DecemberDepartment Stores
Mike Ashley asks Debenhams to ‘reconsider’ £40m offer in ‘frustrated’ email
Mike Ashley has asked Debenhams to “reconsider” his £40m investment offer which he described as “a very public statement of support at a critical time for Debenhams’ business” in an email in which he described himself as “frustrated”. In the letter Ashley expresses his frustration that Sports Direct’s “assistance” has…
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