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Debenhams plc () is a retailer with a chain of department stores based in the United Kingdom. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.

Debenhams Retail Plc is part of the Debenhams Group of Companies which is owned by CVC Capital Partners, Texas Pacific Group, Merrill Lynch Global Private Equity and management.

History

The company's origins can be traced back to a drapery shop opened in 1778 on London's Wigmore Street.

The modern Debenhams group grew from the acquisition of department stores in towns and cities throughout the UK. The first of such purchases, Marshall & Snelgrove in Oxford Street, London was acquired in 1919. Later purchases included stores such as Rylands in Manchester and Browns of Chester. Most stores retained their former identities until a unified corporate image was rolled out across the stores.

Debenhams was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1928 and continued to expand. In 1985 the company was acquired by the Burton Group. At this point the company owned 65 stores. Debenhams demerged in 1998 and was once again listed as a separate company.

The company expanded rapidly throughout the 1990s and now has a total of 120 stores in the UK and Ireland with new stores recently opened at the MetroCentre in Gateshead and Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.

In 2002 the Nectar loyalty card was introduced with Debenhams as a major sponsor. This card now allows customers to collect loyalty points from a range of retailers such as Sainsbury's, BP, Beefeater and Ford amongst others. Despite some criticism, the Debenhams Account Card is still a major source of revenue for the company ensuring customer loyalty and targeted mailings.

Debenhams also offers Debenhams Wedding Gift Service, where couples can create their wedding gift lists with Debenhams for which guests can buy from. In addition to the Debenhams Consumer website where customers can purchase online goods, Debenhams now offer a Debenhams To You service, where goods can searched for and located over the telephone, or through a special in-store telephon so that items can be sent to the customer's home address.

Another service that selected Debenhams stores offer, is the personal shopper service. This is an exclusive service that requires pre-booking, either over the telephone, or in store. Customers will benefit from a personal shopper, trained to look at the requirements of the individual and with the knowledge of current trends. The personal shopper has a strong knowledge of what Debenhams offers and what items would suit the individual's requirements/look.

The company was taken over by a private consortium in late 2003. Recent speculation predicts a return to the stock exchange in 2006. The company returned to the stock exchange on 4th May 2006.

Recently voted 8th most favourably viewed brand by Marketing Magazine 2006

The store has been trialling a compact version called Desire by Debenhams which is mainly aimed at the female market with designerwear, cosmetics and a cafe.

Not only is Debenhams a retailer, its other divisions include Debenhams Finance which covers home, car and travel insurance, as well as the travel money scheme and Debenhams Mobile.

Store format

Debenhams stores are currently departmentalized as follows:

  • Health and Beauty (Cosmetics, Fragrances & Toiletries)
  • Women's Wear (Designer Women's Clothing, Bridalwear & Lingerie)
  • Menswear (Men's Casual Clothing, Sportswear, Formalwear, Men's Accessories, Footwear)
  • Fashion Accessories (Handbags, Jewellery, Men's & Women's watches, Women's Footwear)
  • Young Fashion (Red Herring, Oasis, Jane Norman, Topshop etc)
  • Home (Bedding, Electrical, Furniture, Soft Furnishings, China, Lighting, Luggage & Kitchenware)
  • Children's (Children's Clothes, Accessories, Footwear & Toys)
  • Food Services (The Restaurant & Cafe Venue in most stores)
  • Wedding Service (also known as Celebration)
  • Photography - Olan Mills/Portrait Place - some stores only

Debenhams stores vary greatly in size from the flagship store in Oxford Street, London to the smaller stores in locations such as Bangor. Some such stores do not have a full range of departments.

Part of Debenhams's source of business is concessions. These are 'shop-in-shops' which can be found in most Debenhams stores such as Young Fashion companies 'Oasis' and Ladieswear outlet 'Evans'.

The company's innovation has proved successful by introducing branding into its menswear and ladies' wear lines. The 'Designers at Debenhams' include Jasper Conran, John Richmond, John Rocha, The Duffer of St. George and Betty Jackson.

United Kingdom locations

All but four of the company's UK department stores currently trade as 'Debenhams'. The exceptions are 'Browns' in Chester and 'Desire by Debenhams' concept stores in South Shields, Orpington and Truro.

London

South East England

South West England

Central England

Yorkshire

North East England

North West England

Scotland

Wales

Northern Ireland

International locations

All department stores in international locations trade under the 'Debenhams' name except 'Ermes' in Cyprus and 'SOGO' in Indonesia which are franchise stores operated independently of Debenhams Limited.

Bahrain

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Hungary

Iceland

Indonesia

Ireland

Kuwait

Malaysia

Philippines

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

Sweden

United Arab Emirates

External links

Retailers of the United Kingdom | Department stores of the United Kingdom | Department stores in Malaysia | Nectar loyalty card | Companies based in London

Debenhams

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Debenhams".

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