Too little too late – why the Debenhams rebrand is a frivolous deckchair rearrangement October 1, 2018 According to the press stories that announced a rebrand of Debenhams at the beginning of September, the objective of the exercise was to put “joy” back into the brand. Six days later, the company announced that it was calling in KPMG to help it restructure, which doesn’t sound too joyful. It’s quite farcical really. [...]
Not feeling capital: Debenhams faces growing cash reserve woes as credit insurer scraps cover to suppliers September 30, 2018 Embattled department store chain Debenhams suffered a fresh blow today as one of its leading credit insurers turned off the tap for cover provided to the retailer’s suppliers. Insurance provider Atradius is pulling its entire credit cover for Debenhams’ suppliers, amid fears about the future of the historic retail giant in the run-up to Christmas. [...]
Online-only retailers outpace their bricks and mortar rivals as fresh evidence of high street troubles emerge September 26, 2018 Online-only retailers’ sales have grown 24 times faster than those of bricks and mortar firms in the last five years, according to new data which underlines the current woes facing high street shops. A report out today from data specialist GBG Loqate shows that pure-play online retailers have grown their sales by 281 per [...]
Analysts warn of Debenhams ‘value trap’ day after launch of turnaround strategy September 25, 2018 Embattled department store chain Debenhams was hoping to ease investor cynicism after launching its new turnaround strategy yesterday, but it seems City analysts are yet to be impressed. Liberum said this morning that “a good store tour doesn’t change our view that this is a value trap”, reiterating its “sell” rating after the retailer [...]
Debenhams looks to shore up investor panic with unveiling of its ‘store of the future’ September 24, 2018 Debenhams is gearing up for the unveiling of its “store of the future” later today, as the beleaguered retail giant looks to reassure both shoppers and investors after a challenging summer. The department store chain is also expected to reveal more details of its turnaround plans at the event in Watford today, having denied [...]
Cath Kidston to review UK store locations in bid for higher footfall September 19, 2018 Fashion retailer Cath Kidston is reviewing the locations of its UK stores as it looks to move to destinations that attract higher footfall. The brand, which has 65 stores across the UK including pop-ups and concessions, is reviewing individual branches as leases come up for renewal at which point it will consider whether to relocate the store to a [...]
Sports Direct denies reports Mike Ashley may block sale of Debenhams’ Danish arm Magasin du Nord September 16, 2018 Sports Direct have this evening denied reports its boss Mike Ashley is attempting to block a sale of Debenhams' Danish business Magasin du Nord. Reports suggested Ashley had threatened to halt the £200m of the business by Debenhams, in which he already has a 30 per cent stake, in the hopes of forcing the business into [...]
Why John Lewis’ price promise won’t deliver profits September 14, 2018 Retail bellwether John Lewis reported a 99 per cent drop in profits yesterday in what one analyst labelled a moment as significant as the fall of the Roman empire, as far as the struggling high street is concerned. The middle-class favourite’s profit before one-off items slumped to £1.4m in the six months to 28 July [...]
Debenhams share price falls as House of Fraser merger talk is dampened September 13, 2018 Shares in Debenhams fell by five per cent this morning, wiping out most of the gains made yesterday amid speculation that Sports Direct could merge the struggling retailer with House of Fraser. Read more: Sports Direct board 'mulled Debenhams and House of Fraser merger' The comments were made by an outgoing board member at the [...]
Mike Ashley must end the Sports Direct clowning if he is to be the high street’s hero September 13, 2018 Emptying his pockets of wads of £50 notes at a security check, telling a select committee about vomiting in a fireplace at board meetings – Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley is clearly not afraid of theatre. Against type, he has now chosen to play the part of white knight of the high street, but yesterday’s [...]