Debenhams

Debenhams is a renowned British heritage retailer offering a curated selection of over three thousand brands across beauty, fashion and homeware. With a rich history and a commitment to exceptional customer experiences, Debenhams is also the ultimate online destination for those seeking an unrivalled selection of iconic brands. 

Shopping mall Debenhams traces its history back to 1778 when William Clark opened a drapers store at 44 Wigmore Street, London retailing expensive fabrics, bonnets, gloves and parasols. In 1813, William Debenham invested in the firm which was then renamed Clark and Debenham.

As the business became profitable, the partners opened stores in Cheltenham and Harrogate. In 1837, Clark retired and Debenham partnered his trusted staff, William Pooley and John Smith, trading as Debenham, Pooley and Smith. By 1840, the management of the Cheltenham store was given to Debenham’s brother-in-law Clement Freebody. In 1843, another branch opened in Harrogate. Pooley and Smith retired in 1851 when Debenham partnered his son, William, and Clement Freebody, trading as Debenham, Son and Freebody. 

In 1876 when Freebody retired, a new partnership, Debenham and Hewitt, was established owing to a collaboration with George Hewitt. By 1883, Hewitt was sole owner of the Cheltenham store, with Frank and William Debenham managing the London store as a separate entity. The company was incorporated as Debenhams Limited in 1905 and a new headquarters opened in Wigmore Street three years later.

The Debenhams group grew from the acquisition of department stores in towns and cities throughout the UK, under the leadership of Chairman Ernest Debenham. In 1919, the company acquired Marshall and Snellgrove and the following year, Harvey Nichols. Seven years later, the company purchased Drapery Trust and then got listed on London Stock Exchange. In 1976, Debenhams acquired Browns of Chester. 

The business diversified during the Seventies, acquiring supermarket group Cater Brothers. However, business declined and in 1979 the chain was sold to Allied Suppliers. Debenhams was in the news for all the wrong reasons when it was targeted during the Eighties by Animal Liberation Front for sale of animal furs. As a result, the company stopped selling clothes with animal furs.

In 1985, the company was acquired by the Burton Group and in 1997 the first international franchise store opened in Bahrain. However Debenhams de-merged from the Burton Group in January 1998 and was once again listed as a separate company on London Stock Exchange until 2003 when it was purchased by Baroness Retail Ltd. Debenhams returned to London Stock Exchange again in May 2006. 

In September 2007, the company acquired nine stores from Roches in the Republic of Ireland followed by Danish department store group Magasin Du Nord for reported £12.3 million, two years later. In April 2019, Debenhams plc entered administration and delisted. The operating businesses, under Debenhams Group Holdings Ltd, were acquired by a consortium of lenders, Celine UK NewCo 1 Ltd. Debenhams gained access to reported £200m of funding and embarked on a restructuring plan.

On 1 December 2020, Debenhams announced it was going into liquidation. On 13 January 2021, it announced closure of six stores in England due to the pandemic. On 25 January 2021, Boohoo acquired Debenhams for reported £55m after Debenhams announced it will shut its remaining stores by 15 May, closing the door on more than 200 years of trade on UK high streets. 

Announcing the final closures, Debenhams said in a statement: “Over the next 10 days, Debenhams will close its doors on the High Street for the final time in its 242 year history. We hope to see you all one last time in stores before we say a final goodbye to the UK High Street.”

"We give our customers around the world a unique, differentiated and exclusive mix of own brands, International brands and concessions."

Debenhams is dedicated to providing its customers with a distinctive shopping experience through a carefully curated selection of products. By offering an exclusive combination of its own brands, alongside international labels and specialized concessions, Debenhams aims to cater to a diverse global audience. The emphasis on differentiation and exclusivity underscores Debenhams' commitment to delivering value and variety to its clientele.

The retailer’s mission focuses on creating a cohesive yet diverse product offering that meets the needs of modern consumers. Debenhams' own brands provide a unique identity and style that resonate with its core customers, while partnerships with renowned international brands enhance the store's appeal, offering shoppers access to a broader range of high-quality products. In addition, the inclusion of concessions allows Debenhams to introduce niche and boutique labels, further enriching the shopping experience with exclusive collections that cannot be found elsewhere. This strategic combination of products ensures that customers have access to a comprehensive and appealing mix of styles and price points under one roof.

Debenhams' mission reflects its broader vision of being more than just a department store, but a destination where customers can discover unique and exclusive fashion and lifestyle options. By continuously evolving its product mix and forging new partnerships, the company strives to stay ahead of trends and meet the ever-changing demands of the global market. This commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction is at the heart of Debenhams’ mission, reinforcing its position as a leader in the retail industry. Through this strategic blend of brands and offerings, Debenhams aims to create a distinctive, memorable shopping experience that keeps customers returning, season after season.

Debenhams' vision has always been centered around innovation, growth, and adaptation to changing market demands. From its humble beginnings as a drapers store in 1778 to becoming one of the most recognized department store chains in the UK, the retailer's journey reflects a commitment to expanding its reach and enhancing its offerings. Throughout its history, Debenhams demonstrated a strategic vision by partnering with stakeholders, expanding its presence beyond London, and acquiring well-established names like Marshall and Snellgrove and Harvey Nichols. These moves helped solidify its position as a major player in the British retail sector, with a focus on providing a wide array of products and experiences to its customers.

The company's ability to evolve with the times is further evidenced by its ventures into international markets and its diversification into other retail sectors, such as acquiring supermarket group Cater Brothers. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, such as the controversy over the sale of animal furs in the 1980s and fluctuating financial fortunes, Debenhams remained resilient, continuously adapting its business model to stay relevant. This resilience is reflected in its re-listing on the London Stock Exchange in 2006 and its subsequent restructuring efforts, in the face of economic and retail sector upheavals.

Ultimately, Debenhams' vision is to be more than just a retail brand, to be a resilient, enduring presence in the marketplace, committed to evolving with consumer needs and preferences. Although the retailer faced closure in 2021, its legacy and impact on the retail industry remain significant. The acquisition by Boohoo marks a new chapter, with the opportunity to reimagine Debenhams for the digital age. This transformation symbolizes the brand's enduring vision of growth, adaptability, and commitment to serving its customers, even as it transitions from its historic high street presence to a modern, online retail platform.

In 1993, Debenhams introduced ‘Designers at Debenhams’, the creation of then CEO Belinda Earl, Ben de Lisi and Spencer Hawken. This brand introduced fashion designers and labels such as Jasper Conran, John Rocha, Butterfly by Matthew Williamson, H! by Henry Holland, Star by Julien MacDonald, Frost French, Janet Reger, Ted Baker, St George by Duffer, Jeff Banks, and Ben de Lisi. 

In 2010, Debenhams announced the launch of four new designers to its assortment i.e. Jonathan Saunders, Preen, Jonathan Kelsey and Roksanda Ilincic. Following the purchase of a stake by Mike Ashley, the owner of Sports Direct, in January 2014, Debenhams announced a trial of Sports Direct concessions in its Harrow and Southsea stores. Later that year, Debenhams also launched trials of Costa Coffee and Mothercare concessions within stores. 

In October 2016, the company announced it would begin to focus less on clothing and more on food, beauty products and gifting. Debenhams proudly provided stellar services to its clients. It operated retail websites in the UK and Ireland, as well as a mobile-enabled website and mobile apps that allowed customers to shop online and scan product barcodes in store. 

Debenhams also provided store card and credit card services, operated by NewDay. Insurance products were provided under the Debenhams brand by other financial companies. Debenhams also operated bureaux de change in select stores. The company also ran a loyalty card programme, Debenhams Beauty Club, where customers could collect points with the purchase of health and beauty products!!