Thursday, July 07, 2005
Debenhams to open stores in india
Debenham's yesterday declined to comment on reports that it is considering a bid for Beatties to counter a £70m offer from House of Fraser, is also looking at opening Debenhams stores in China.
It plans to open 10 stores in India, with its franchise partner Planet Sports. The first will open in the Ambi Mall in Delhi next April.
Debenhams already has 17 international stores, all operated as franchises. It plans a further six this year, including two in Saudia Arabia, one in Dubai and two in Cyprus.
A Debenhams spokesman said its international expansion was an important part of the company's strategy, partly because it increased its buying power.
It is understood that the 116 department stores in Britain continue to trade well, with positive underlying sales growth despite the gloom on the high street. Shop online at Debenham's website
.
A further 44 stores are in the pipeline and the company reckons there is the potential for a total of 200 to 220.
It is also encouraged by the recent opening of its first mini-department store, called Desire by Debenhams, in Truro, Cornwall. The shop, of about 18,000 sq ft compared to a normal department store of 70,000 sq ft, sells cosmetics, Designers at Debenhams, and its women's ranges.
If the trial works, the group plans to open 120 to 140 mini-department stores from next year. The company will also invest £2m on its Debenhams website, expanding its product range online.
It plans to open 10 stores in India, with its franchise partner Planet Sports. The first will open in the Ambi Mall in Delhi next April.
Debenhams already has 17 international stores, all operated as franchises. It plans a further six this year, including two in Saudia Arabia, one in Dubai and two in Cyprus.
A Debenhams spokesman said its international expansion was an important part of the company's strategy, partly because it increased its buying power.
It is understood that the 116 department stores in Britain continue to trade well, with positive underlying sales growth despite the gloom on the high street. Shop online at Debenham's website
.
A further 44 stores are in the pipeline and the company reckons there is the potential for a total of 200 to 220.
It is also encouraged by the recent opening of its first mini-department store, called Desire by Debenhams, in Truro, Cornwall. The shop, of about 18,000 sq ft compared to a normal department store of 70,000 sq ft, sells cosmetics, Designers at Debenhams, and its women's ranges.
If the trial works, the group plans to open 120 to 140 mini-department stores from next year. The company will also invest £2m on its Debenhams website, expanding its product range online.
