Debenhams

Debenhams plc is a UK company famous for its classy department stores. The company was founded in the eighteenth century as a London shop and has now grown to around 160 stores. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange in the FTSE 250 Index.

History

Flint & Clark drapers' store, named after its owners, was opened in 1778 at Wigmore Street in London. In 1813 William Debenham was made a partner. After a few more name changes, and store openings, the business became Debenhams Ltd in 1905. From then, until the present  the company has acquired many department stores throughout the UK.

Noted acquisitions included Marshall & Snelgrove at Oxford Street in London and Harvey Nichols in London's Knightsbridge in 1920. The company was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1928.

In 1976 Debenhams acquired Browns of Chester – the only store that has retained its original name. In 1985 the company was acquired by the Burton group, but was demerged in 1998 and was again listed as Debenhams on the London Stock Exchange. The company was acquired again in 2003 this time a consortium comprising CVC Capital Partners, Texas Pacific Group, and  Merrill Lynch, but demerged again in 2006.

In 2009 Debenhams started selling goods on eBay and Amazon.co.uk, and acquired the Danish department store group Magasin Du Nord.

Further reading

Debenhams jobs - find a job at Debenhams.

ASDA Catalogue - latest information on ASDA supermarket.

Marks & Spencer Catalogue Marks & Spencer provides Debenhams with competition in a similar part of the fashion marketplace.

Sainsbury's Catalogue Sainsbury's provides little direct competition to Debenhams, as it focuses on groceries, with onlty a small fashion-selling presence.

Tesco Catalogue The biggest beast in the grocery marketplace.

IKEA Catalogue - home shopping for furniture.