A department store is a large retail business which typically trades on several floors and offers a wide range of merchandise, including fashion, clearly separated into different department.
Debenhams
Established in 1905, Debenhams is the largest department store chain in the UK by number of stores, with 104 stores in the UK.
What differentiates Debenhams from other retailers is our unique combination of own-bought brands, exclusive designer ranges and leading international brands, with approximately half of their merchandise available only at Debenhams. This unique mix of premium brands at affordable prices enables them to satisfy existing customers and attract new customers.
Compared to other major UK department stores, the product offer at Debenhams focuses primarily on fashion, which usually generates comparatively higher margins than other product categories. At present, womenswear, menswear and homewares comprise the largest part of its offer while children’s clothing, lingerie, fashion accessories and health & beauty products are also becoming an increasingly important part of the business.
The company’s sales mix has become more skewed to apparel in recent years with womenswear and menswear accounting for 27% and 18% of total gross transaction value in 2004 respectively. The womenswear and menswear offer has also gained in stature and reputation as more desirable fashion labels have been introduced and the choice of own and international brands has been widened.
Restructuring in-store layouts has made it easier for people to shop. The beauty offer has also been significantly strengthened with new and modernized stores featuring the additional attraction of beauty treatment rooms while the gift business has also grown ra ...