Is this the end of Debenhams?

RGARDINR wrote: »

So as the title says is this end of of Debenhams? Looking like going into administration come early next week according to news and papers. Just wondering will that be them gone or will they soldier on for a while? Have stuff ordered with them due next week so hopefully I get them. But it is a store I have always liked and hope it can carry on but highly doubtful. So what is your thoughts on it? Gone in the next few days or keep going on for a while or some miracle it survives and gets stronger? Or will this be one of the first massive store closures from Covid19? I know probably just last mail in it's coffin from it. Apologise if in wrong section as never posted much in boards before. Long time reader not poster.

I’d be surprised if you don’t get your order, and they will indeed try to soldier on, probably big job losses and further non performing store closures down the road and a move to a more online model. It depends on how much leeway their creditors give and how credible their plan is going forward.

Tough tough road ahead for the high street generally speaking.

RGARDINR wrote: »

So as the title says is this end of of Debenhams? Looking like going into administration come early next week according to news and papers. Just wondering will that be them gone or will they soldier on for a while? Have stuff ordered with them due next week so hopefully I get them. But it is a store I have always liked and hope it can carry on but highly doubtful. So what is your thoughts on it? Gone in the next few days or keep going on for a while or some miracle it survives and gets stronger? Or will this be one of the first massive store closures from Covid19? I know probably just last mail in it's coffin from it. Apologise if in wrong section as never posted much in boards before. Long time reader not poster.

To answer your question ,Yes I think its the end, cant see them re-opening.

Since they bought over the Roches Stores group in 2005 they never had the same foot fall or trade sales compared to Roches Stores. customer service was poor and the shop was in dis-array in its layout, my Mrs always preferred to shop in Marks and Sparks on Henry Street over Debenhams on Henry Street. The clothes were outdated and they were old fashioned.

They never converted the Roches Stores customer over and they lost their mark on Henry Street with such a large building with little or no customers.

The mens section in the basement was sh1te , rails and rails of clothes shipped in from India or Bangladesh.

Its been a long time coming, they have been in trouble for a few years, cash flow is poor and they had to many concession units inside the store.

Very good article here by The Guardian UK last year about the group.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/apr/13/debenhams-problem-not-just-indebted-dull-too

_Brian wrote: »

If the market is profitable either they or someone else will set up and fill the need.

This, they still have a lot of revenue, creditors are well aware that if they close the door nobody gets their money back. Their best hope is probably a buy out / rescue along with a settlement with creditors. Haven't been following it that closely but closing up is absolutely the last resort in these cases, only when it’s clear that there is no hope of ever repaying the debt or continuing as a going concern. They are not at that stage (yet).

If Debenhams is still online, wont there still be a need for staff in Ireland to process orders and collect them from the warehouse? I appreciate this wont help most of the people working in the stores.

Pity found their mend clothing some of the best out their for the money and proper sizes too.

Feel terribly bad for staff....

RGARDINR wrote: »

Zara not in Debenhams as well on Henry st attached into the store? Will that go? Also is Debenhams Ireland a separate entity to Debenhams UK? If so does it be in profit in Ireland and not in the UK?

There is no suggestion that the Irish stores will close (unless already marked for closure).

Having looked it up the UK situation is a voluntary administration to give them time to negotiate with creditors and agree a funding package between the owners. They are not closing the business, although they are / were rolling out a targeted store closure programme in the UK anyway, planning to keep just over 100 stores. They seem to be fairly sure they’ll get a deal done to keep going.

RGARDINR wrote: »

Yeah was this they might keep going for how long tho is another thing but hopefully they can pull through. I like the shop and I wouldn't want people to lose their jobs. Just as their huge stores over here would like really bad with them closed and boarded up. Can't imagine Henry street shop turning into another huge shop, would have to be sub let into minor shops for the size of it and let's be honest I think there are enough Penny's in town.

With Covid19 now anything is possible, any business that was struggling already could find that this is that straw that breaks the camels back.

They did an interesting Panorama programme on the BBC a few months ago that looked at the town centres in the UK where a lot of Debenhams and other retailers are already closed leaving huge empty buildings everywhere. In some cases left derelict, some were being turned in to hotels and apartments or leisure facilities etc. The government there are spending billions to try to tackle it and the innovation shown by some of the local authorities was really impressive while others were shrugging their shoulders and looking the other way.

carrickbawn wrote: »

I put an order in on the 2nd and it was due for delivery today.
No dispatch email and no delivery.
When I track the order they are telling me how to return and get refund.
Really weird. Can’t even send a message to them. Even if I can’t get my order I want my money back.

I placed an order on the 3rd. One item arrived the other day, and I got an email on the 6th saying the rest had been dispatched. So fingers crossed it'll arrive!

They were saying Ireland was unaffected a few day’s ago and now this. I wonder where the liquidators will dispose of the stock

rolling boh wrote: »

Sorry to see Debenhams pull out thought they stocked decent enough clothes maby for slightly older customers generally did not see many younger people in there .Most of the shops in blanchardstown seem to be geared to young customers so Debenhams was good for us slightly older buyers bought a couple of suits there and they worked out well .

Sad but not really surprised at all - they've had problems for years with debt and tenancy agreements etc.

Plus I'm not sure if they knew who their customer was. I think you're right that in reality they had a lot of older customers but they seems to try to aim at the younger market too especially with their concessions in the beauty hall etc. They were neither high end nor low end. They didnt really have much of an identity.

punisher5112 wrote: »

Pity found their mend clothing some of the best out their for the money and proper sizes too.

Feel terribly bad for staff....

Endorse that .
Sad to see them go and of course for the staff who'll find it hard to find similar jobs in a contracting sector.Their stuff seemed to suit me well and they had great bargain racks. Such is life -nothing lasts forever.