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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Dec- 2018 -4 DecemberDepartment Stores
‘Tax the internet for the good of the high street’, Mike Ashley tells MPs
Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley has said online businesses should be taxed 20% in as soon as six months to save the majority of high street retailers and avoid closures. Ashley appeared in front of MPs at the House of Commons yesterday (3 December) after demanding to meet them in…
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Nov- 2018 -26 NovemberShopping Centres
Mike Ashley vows to pull 17 stores from Intu Properties
Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley has vowed to close all his stores located in Intu shopping centres following a rent row over four House of Fraser stores. The move will see Ashley shut 17 stores — a mix of Sports Direct, House of Fraser, Flannels, USC and Evans Cycles…
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26 NovemberClothing & Shoes
Missguided boss slammed by MPs for Parliamentary no-show
Nitin Passi, the CEO and founder of online retailer Missguided, has been criticised by MPs for refusing to appear in the Houses of Parliament as part of an investigation into fast fashion. In a letter to Passi, MP Mary Creagh chair of the Environmental Audit Committee, said she was “disappointed”…
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19 NovemberComment
Digital taxation, and what it means for small retailers
The chancellor’s Budget announcements will have certainly set a few pulses racing in the independent retail sector, for several reasons. Among the measures likely to have piqued the interests of British retailers were a property rates reduction for small businesses, a £675m ‘future high street’ investment plan, and a proposal…
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9 NovemberClothing & Shoes
Fast fashion brands called before Parliament
A number of online only fashion retailers have been asked to give evidence as part of the Environmental Audit Committee’s inquiry into the sustainability of the fashion industry. The chair of the committee has written letters to ASOS, Boohoo, PrettyLittleThing, Amazon and Missguided, published today (9 November), to the online…
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6 NovemberDepartment Stores
Debenhams ratings downgraded by Moody’s
Debenhams has had its ratings downgraded for a second time in two months by ratings agency Moody’s. Moody’s Investors Service downgraded the long-term corporate family rating (CFR) of the UK’s largest department store group Debenhams to Caa1 from B2. It has also downgraded Debenhams probability of default rating (PDR) to…
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Oct- 2018 -25 OctoberDepartment Stores
Debenhams to close 50 stores amid record £491m loss
Debenhams has announced it will close 50 stores after reporting a record annual loss of £491.5m in the year to 1 September. The embattled department store said it will close almost a third of its 165 stores in the next three to five years leading to the loss of around…
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22 OctoberDepartment Stores
Debenhams ‘could close a third of its stores’
It is rumoured Debenhams could be closing up to a third of its stores following a series of profit warnings and poor trading results. The embattled department store has 166 outlets across the UK and is reportedly looking to save £100m. The Sunday Telegraph reported that the chain would save…
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5 OctoberGovernment
MPs launch inquiry into top fashion retailers
Some 10 of the UK’s leading fashion retailers have been asked to submit evidence on the steps being taken to reduce social and environmental impact. The chair of the Environmental Audit Committee Mary Creagh MP has written to the chief executives of a number of retail chains. This includes Asda,…
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2 OctoberDepartment Stores
Debenhams merchandising director leaves amid trouble with insurers
Debenhams merchandising director Adele Calderwood has reportedly stepped down following yesterday’s news that the company’s insurers had pulled out. Calderwood, who joined the company from Arcadia in 2004 and worked for the retailer for 14 years, will now depart according to reports by Drapers. Debenhams told Retail Sector it had…
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