Debenhams to focus on young fashion
Revamp under new management team
December 12 2003
The new regime at department store group Debenhams plan to refocus its young fashion offer to better compete with the likes of New Look and Top Shop.
There are also plans to tighten the supply chain and cut lead times in a fast fashion strategy aiming to get new clothing lines into stores more quickly.
New chief executive Rob Templeman told the Financial Times Debenhams wants to create “more theatre around the product. We don’t punch our weight in the younger female market in fashion. We need a more vibrant atmosphere.”
Templeman is part of the new Baroness Retail management team, backed by CVC Capital Partners and Texas Pacific Group , which took control at the end of November after a protracted bid battle.
He told the newspaper that Debenhams aims to speed up both UK expansion plans and its international franchise operation. UK growth might include out-of-town stores.
