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Debenhams

For other uses, see Debenham (disambiguation).
For the online retailer, see Debenhams.com.

Debenhams plc
Debenhams plc (2006–2019)
Company typePrivate limited company
LSE: DEB (2006–2019)[1]
IndustryFashion online retail
Beauty store
PredecessorDrapery Trust Edit this on Wikidata
Founded1778 (1778) (by William Clark)
1813 (1813) (as Clark & Debenham)
FounderWilliam Debenham
Defunct15 May 2021 (15 May 2021)
FateLiquidation, folded into Boohoo.com
SuccessorDebenhams.com
Headquarters334–348 Oxford Street, London, England, UK
Area served
Key people
Mark Gifford (Chairman)
Stefaan Vansteenkiste (CEO)
Products
  • Fashion clothing
  • shoes
  • toys
  • accessories
  • cosmetics
  • Gifts
  • Electricals
  • home and furniture
Revenue£2,277.0 million (2018)[2]
£43.4 million (2018)[2]
£(461.0) million (2018)[2]
Number of employees
25,000 (2019)[3]
ParentCeline Jersey Topco Limited
Websitewww.debenhams.com; operated by Boohoo as Debenhams.com

Debenhams plc was a British department store chain operating in the United Kingdom, Denmark and the Republic of Ireland, and is still operating as a franchise in seven Middle East countries.[4] It was founded in 1778 as a single store in London and grew to 178 locations across those countries, also owning the Danish department store chain Magasin du Nord. In its final years, its headquarters were within the premises of its flagship store in Oxford Street, London. The range of goods sold included middle-to-high-end clothing, beauty, household items, and furniture.

The company suffered financial difficulties in the 21st century and entered administration twice, in April 2019 and April 2020.[5] In November 2020, Debenhams' main concession operator Arcadia also entered administration, leading to the collapse of talks with JD Sports and Frasers Group over a potential rescue.[6] As a result, Debenhams announced it would be liquidated.[7]

The Debenhams brand and website were purchased by the online retailer Boohoo for £55M in January 2021. However, Boohoo did not retain any stores, meaning the loss of up to 12,000 jobs. Boohoo relaunched the website as Debenhams.com on 12 April 2021 under their own company, Debenhams.com Online Limited, when Debenhams' stores reopened to begin closing down sales following a relaxation of some COVID-19 restrictions. After 243 years in business, the remaining Debenhams department stores closed for the final time during May 2021.[8][9]

  1. ^ London Stock Exchange cancel Debenhams stock
  2. ^ a b c "Preliminary Results 2018". Debenhams plc. Archived from the original on 26 October 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  3. ^ "Debenhams in profit alert as sales continue to slide". BBC News. 5 March 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  4. ^ "Debenhams stores". Alshaya Group. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  5. ^ "Coronavirus: Debenhams in administration for second time in year". Sky News. 9 April 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  6. ^ "Debenhams faces uncertain future as JD Sports quits rescue talks". BBC News. 1 December 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  7. ^ "Debenhams set to close putting 12,000 jobs at risk". BBC News. 1 December 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  8. ^ "End of an era for Debenhams as final shops set to close". BBC News. 12 May 2021.
  9. ^ Ng, Kate (4 December 2021). "Debenhams makes its return to the high street with beauty store in Manchester". The Independent.