Analyst Views | How does Debenhams’ strategy compare to rivals such as Next?
RICHARD HUNTER | HARGREAVES LANSDOWN
The overall strategy is similar to many of its rivals in what remains a fiercely competitive environment and, along with the ongoing economic malaise, Debenhams will need to be at the top of its game as time progresses.
JEAN ROCHE | PANMURE GORDON
We think that the main reason for today’s lack of profit upgrade is additional investment in systems and logistics to support the multi-channel business, since Debenhams’ roots do not lie in home shopping, unlike Next for example.
KATE CALVERT | SEYMOUR PIERCE
The update may surprise some after Next reported a sales slowdown in current trading last week. However, Debenhams’ trading update covers a different period and does not include the first two weeks of September as Next’s comments did.