Debenhams

[SueEllen]

..in administration

Debenhams set to close putting 12,000 jobs at risk - BBC News

[eek]

..in administration

It already was

Debenhams fell into administration for the second time in April and hopes had rested on a rescue bid from JD Sports.

- it's now going into liquidation as there is zero chance of it being rescued.

[Paddy]

..in administration

Debenhams set to close putting 12,000 jobs at risk - BBC News

Debenhams, a department store made up of concessions and franchises that has lost its way. It has zero attractiveness.
Department stores used to be about shopping with service in comfortable surroundings and usually with a pleasant restaurant or cheap cafeteria. Debenhams is drab with disinterested staff.

[AtW]

Liquidation is more humane than being taken over by Ashley

[edison]

Debenhams, a department store made up of concessions and franchises that has lost its way. It has zero attractiveness.
Department stores used to be about shopping with service in comfortable surroundings and usually with a pleasant restaurant or cheap cafeteria. Debenhams is drab with disinterested staff.

Debenhams lost their way many years ago just like House of Fraser. They don't have the right customer proposition, online offering or in store service. I'm amazed either have survived so long.

Sadly, John Lewis is likely to go the same way eventually. It usually has very good service in my experience but simply can't compete on price with Amazon and still make a decent profit. It's hard to see what major, middle of the road national retail chains will be around in 10 years, especially those heavily driven by clothing sales. Consumers want cheap and cheerful fast fashion or designer/premium. With a small number of exceptions, the middle ground is a bit of a no man's land now.

[Paddy]

Debenhams lost their way many years ago just like House of Fraser. They don't have the right customer proposition, online offering or in store service. I'm amazed either have survived so long.

Sadly, John Lewis is likely to go the same way eventually. It usually has very good service in my experience but simply can't compete on price with Amazon and still make a decent profit. It's hard to see what major, middle of the road national retail chains will be around in 10 years, especially those heavily driven by clothing sales. Consumers want cheap and cheerful fast fashion or designer/premium. With a small number of exceptions, the middle ground is a bit of a no man's land now.

That reminds me, John Lewis was rather good last Christmas with free drinks and snacks. I got thoroughly pi$$ed for free and bought nothing.

[LondonManc]

Big high street presence, but massive associated costs means they struggle to compete with people who go their to try clothes on then go home and look for it cheaper online.

[Paddy]

Big high street presence, but massive associated costs means they struggle to compete with people who go their to try clothes on then go home and look for it cheaper online.

[Eirikur]

Time to transform the highstreets into living areas. Housing problem solved.

[Old Greg]

Time to transform the highstreets into living areas. Housing problem solved.

This. Just as the warehouses and factories were converted into loft apartments in the '80s and '90s for post-industrial towns, so the shops need to be converted for post-retail towns.