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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Aug- 2018 -24 AugustAdvice
How can physical retailers out-convenience the online giants?
With the likes of Amazon and other online giants seemingly dominating the landscape and creating challenges for physical retailers, there is a fear amongst brick and mortar retailers that they cannot compete with these major brands. This is reflected in almost 650 UK high street stores having closed – or…
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17 AugustDepartment Stores
Debenhams to axe 90 jobs
Debenhams has announced it is to cut 90 jobs as part of a restructuring plan to focus the business on key areas. The department store is also currently in redundancy talks with 200 head office workers as part of the last stage of its cost cutting plan. In a statement…
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2 AugustAdvice
The end of the High Street as we know it? Part II
Like many other Retail Sector readers, I found Kareena Uttamchandani’s post this week about the end of high street fascinating reading. She highlights a couple of reasons why traditional retail is struggling, principally the rise of online shopping, but also the fact that we live in the age of the…
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Jul- 2018 -19 JulyHigh Street
Debenhams woes hit Sports Direct profits
Sports Direct has seen a 73% drop in pre-tax profit despite an increase in revenue thanks to its investment in struggling department chain Debenhams. In its preliminary results for the period ending 29 April, Sports Direct said pre-tax profits were £77.5m, down 72.5% from £281.6m the previous year. It said…
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17 JulyEconomy
Bad debt owed to UK retailers rises to £53.6m in three months
There has been a 2464.5% increase in bad debt owed to UK retailers in the last three months, according to credit report company Creditsafe’s quarterly Watchdog Report. This has been a rise of more than £51.5m, bringing the total to £53.6m and the firm has said that the debt is…
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16 JulyDepartment Stores
Debenhams denies cash problems as insurers withdraw cover
Debenhams has disputed claims that it is facing a cash problem amid reports that its credit insurers have reduced cover for its suppliers. According to a report by The Sunday Times, insurers Euler Hermes, Coface and Atradius have all reduced cover for new supplier contracts. Suppliers typically use credit insurance…
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Jun- 2018 -25 JuneDepartment Stores
Debenhams partners with local food companies
Department story chain Debenhams has partnered with independent local food companies to offer a variety of food options to customers. The new initiative, which has been tested in the company’s central Manchester, Trafford and Oxford Street stores, has led Debenhams with an 11% uplift in food sales after concessions of…
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19 JuneDepartment Stores
Debenhams issues profit warning
Debenhams has issued a warning saying it now expects pre-profits to be “in the range of £35m-£40m” significantly lower than City forecasts of £50m. The company blamed poor conditions on the high street and said that it doesn’t expect improvement anytime soon. The warning is Debenhams third of the year…
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18 JuneClothing & Shoes
Calvetron Brands to shut 102 Jacques Vert and Precis concessions
Benjamin Wiles, Trevor Birch and Philip Duffy of Duff & Phelps, joint administrators to Calvetron Brands, have announced they are serving notice on 102 Jacques Vert and Precis concessions in the UK and Republic of Ireland. These closures and those announced previously, including Dash and Eastex closures made on 4…
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12 JuneComment
Fast Fashion: The global battle
The fast fashion landscape is a crowded space. Spend a couple of minutes on a train platform, browsing Instagram, scrolling through Twitter or watching YouTube and the vast array of adverts, celebrity endorsers, vloggers and other assorted brand affiliates makes it clear that a fierce battle for the wallets of…
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