Debenhams

[Lex]

Coventry & Warwickshire's branches are safe for the moment: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-48063604

A good thing on my part - Debenhams is one of the few shops I buy clothes in.

[margaret]

How very sad for some areas, but it looks like we will be safe for now. I loved the Debenhams store in Canterbury, many good memories of that one, but that seems to be on the hit list. I'm so disappointed, and 116 stores or so surviving doesn't seem the many.

[Lex]

The main reason I like Debenhams is the size I buy in their shops actually fits me.

[rebbonk]

Don't try Primark Lex. Mrs R is normally a size 12/14: but in Primark that can be anything up to a 20!

The problem is that the sizing and body shapes in the far east aren't like the european ones and nobody has actually thought to exchange details.

[Lex]

I go nowhere near Primark - mostly due to the snobbery factor!! Basically, I use 5 shops for my clothing needs:

Debenhams for t-shirts & work trousers
Next for t-shirts (both shops' XL t-shirts actually fit & are about £5 a piece!)
M&S for work shirts and unmentionables
Fat Face and White Stuff for sweatshirts.

Edinburgh Woollen Mill is also ok for socks & work jumpers.

[margaret]

I go nowhere near Primark - mostly due to the snobbery factor!! Basically, I use 5 shops for my clothing needs:

Debenhams for t-shirts & work trousers
Next for t-shirts (both shops' XL t-shirts actually fit & are about £5 a piece!)
M&S for work shirts and unmentionables
Fat Face and White Stuff for sweatshirts.

Edinburgh Woollen Mill is also ok for socks & work jumpers.



Yes M & S are always reliable for the unmentionables, especially the ladies wear.
But lately women clothing in Marks has got a bit shoddy looking. Mens shirts and trousers, socks are good.

I like Edinburgh woollen mill, I get a few jumpers and T-shirts, there.
Never shopped in Fat Face, I don't like the name. I feel sorry for people that are fat and have to read that.

[rebbonk]

M&S are looking to close more stores.

[margaret]

M&S are looking to close more stores.


Yes, but I think we are safe around here.

[Lex]

M&S could be another case of a long, slow decline. The BBC news mentioned it's at risk of dropping out of the FTSE 100 for the 1st time since the index's creation.

[rebbonk]

Yes, at one time (not that long ago actually) M&S were seen as gilt edged stock.

[Lex]

Another reprieve for C&W's stores: https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/debenhams-store-closures-full-list-16946198

[rebbonk]

A death by 1000 cuts. Surely best to grasp the nettle and do what needs doing rather than letting it linger on?

[Lex]

Looks like Debenhams is going to bee booted out of Stratford. I'm not particularly impressed, as I buy a lot of clothes from there, and there're already plans for 2 other big hotels in the town centre: http://www.stratford-herald.com/102272-debenhams-likely-close-2021-hotel-retail-plan-emerges.html

[margaret]

Things are changing so fast, Lex. Its' like the end of an era for me if Debenhams go! It is a great shame. I think Stratford now is a rip off and just geared for tourists , and visitors more and more, getting busier and busier, the roads can hardly take the traffic as it is.

[Lex]

I moved out of Stratford several years ago, I got so fed up with it. Unfortunately, I had to move to another office last year, so I now have to drive through the bl**dy place every day.

[Lex]

A shame to see Debenhams disappear: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-55142724

[rebbonk]

It is, Lex. My heart goes out to the employees.

[Lex]

Another 12,000 in the dole queue; it's going to be a long haul to get the economy back to where it was 12 months ago.

[rebbonk]

I think we're only seeing the tip of a very big iceberg, Lex. There will be a lot more pain after Christmas.

Whilst many are conveniently blaming covid on this, the accountancy profession must take some blame. It was accountants that pushed many companies into selling and then leasing back properties in order for short term gains on the balance sheet. Many of us saw potential issues with this at the time.

[Lex]

It's already happening in Stratford. I've spotted 2-3 shops that look like they've closed down for good, and another with 'Closing Down' signs in the window.

[rebbonk]

As rents fall due they'll fall like nine-pins.

What is going to be interesting is how the government try to prop up the property market.

[Lex]

Coventry Debenhams is on its way out too: https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/closing-down-sale-coventrys-debenhams-19509717