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Debenhams plc (LSE: DEB) is a retailer with a chain of department stores based in the United Kingdom. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. more...

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History

The modern Debenhams group grew from the acquisition of department stores in towns and cities throughout the UK. The first of such purchases, Marshall & Snelgrove in Oxford Street, London was acquired in 1919. Later purchases included stores such as Browns of Chester. Most stores retained their former identities until a unified corporate image was rolled out across the stores.

Debenhams was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1928 and continued to expand. In 1985 the company was acquired by the Burton Group. At this point the company owned 65 stores. Debenhams demerged in 1998 and was once again listed as a separate company.

The company expanded rapidly throughout the 1990s and now has a total of 120 stores in the UK and Ireland with new stores recently opened at the MetroCentre in Gateshead and Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.

In 2002 the Nectar loyalty card was introduced with Debenhams as a major sponsor. This card now allows customers to collect loyalty points from a range of retailers such as Sainsbury's, BP, Beefeater and Ford amongst others. Despite some criticism, the Debenhams Account Card is still a major source of revenue for the company ensuring customer loyalty and targeted mailings.

Debenhams also offers Debenhams Wedding Gift Service, where couples can create their wedding gift lists with Debenhams for which guests can buy from. In addition to the Debenhams Consumer website where customers can purchase online goods, Debenhams now offer a Debenhams To You service, where goods can searched for and located over the telephone, or through a special in-store telephon so that items can be sent to the customer's home address.

Another service that selected Debenhams stores offer, is the personal shopper service. This is an exclusive service that requires pre-booking, either over the telephone, or in store. Customers will benefit from a personal shopper, trained to look at the requirements of the individual and with the knowledge of current trends. The personal shopper has a strong knowledge of what Debenhams offers and what items would suit the individual's requirements/look.

The company was taken over in late 2003 by a private consortium comprising CVC Capital Partners, Texas Pacific Group, Merrill Lynch Global Private Equity and management. The company returned to the stock exchange on 4th May 2006.

Recently voted 8th most favourably viewed brand by Marketing Magazine 2006

The store has been trialling a compact version called Desire by Debenhams which is mainly aimed at the female market with designerwear and cosmetics.

Not only is Debenhams a retailer, its other divisions include Debenhams Finance which covers home, car and travel insurance, as well as the travel money scheme and Debenhams Mobile.

Read more at Wikipedia.org