turkey10
04 Jan 2018
Debenhams take over target now Just wondering how much manipulation there is here. But we all know someone wants to buy the company but just how much are they going to talk it down before pouncing. Disgraceful. The figures are not that bad. But the elephant in the room is Brexit of course and a very greedy entrepreneur who thinks he can buy the company cheap.
seadoc
04 Jan 2018
Re: NEW CEO NEEDED schwee,You have it in one. NXT soared yesterday, sales in store down (about same % as DEB, from memory) but up 15% on-line so up overall. BUT... nearly all NXT stores have short leases. DEB have prime locations but renewed for 25yrs, upward only, in the noughties. The obvious solution is to buy the name, stock, staff (well - services thereof) out of receivership (and sell property REITs!).The dividend (11%) is not sustainable, and will be cut, say interim halved and the final cancelled and sp will indeed be testing the low of 21p, intraday, on 20/11/08.I shopped in the Hereford shop on Thursday before Xmas, prime site, the restaurant was almost empty and that was by far the busiest place. Mrs Seadoc just off to lunch with the "girls", she will report back but I am watching for chance to short at the top of the bounce today.Regards,Seadoc
schwee
04 Jan 2018
Re: NEW CEO NEEDED Who the CEO is or is not is a side issue. Not unique to Debs of course, but the issue is the rental cost of property leases. Solutions anybody?
The Revenge of Meredith Hunter
04 Jan 2018
Re: NEW CEO NEEDED If Sergio was confident in his ability to transform Debs then he would have bought some shares. His last shares bought were in February 2017. The board hold very few shares between them. That does not bode well.I wonder what Mike Ashley will do next.
BBruvver
04 Jan 2018
Re: NEW CEO NEEDED There are just a couple of fundamental actions that this CEO should be taking NOW that seem obvious.1. Pass on the next Interim dividend, should save 12M. as a FY 11% is ridiculous.2. Consider replacing some of the “Dead-wood” fashion floor space with a quality Food hall the likes of M&S….as food sells.3. Check out the Magasin du Nord operation and transpose the continental feel to this sad UK operation.
Omaha man
04 Jan 2018
Re: NEW CEO NEEDED We have only just had a new CEO. There is no magic wand that can be waved to immediately change fortunes it takes time.
pyueck
04 Jan 2018
Re: NEW CEO NEEDED Agreed things changing too slowly
Gooffy
04 Jan 2018
NEW CEO NEEDED This guy plainly hasn't a clue, yes noticed lots of gifts for sale now he says struggling to shift them that's because his prices were too high.All he does is report reducing profits!
idontwanttolose
04 Jan 2018
Christmas Trading Update Not BRILLIANT!!Debenhams plc today announces its trading update for the 17 weeks to 30 December 2017.Financial Summary· Group gross transaction value for 17 weeks declined (0.8%); Group like-for-like sales as reported down (1.3%)· Group like-for-like sales in constant currency declined (1.8%), including UK LFL down (2.6%) and International up 2.1%. Digital sales have risen 9.9%, with two year growth of 22%· The early weeks of the quarter were disappointing as the market remained volatile and competitive. We took tactical promotional action to improve our performance which resulted in a stronger 6 week Christmas period against tough comparatives, with LFL sales up 1.2% in constant currency and digital growth of 15.1%· However, the first week of post-Christmas Sale was below expectations despite further markdown investment, particularly in the highly seasonal Gift category· H1 gross margins are now expected to be c150bps down on the prior year, as a result of the promotional market and to deliver a clean end-season stock position· We have identified cost savings of c£10m above previous guidance. Looking ahead, should the current competitive and volatile environment continue into H2, FY2018 profit before tax is now likely to be in the range of £55m to £65mOperational Summary· The UK trading environment has continued to be volatile and highly competitive with weaker demand in some more discretionary areas. The market has become more promotion-driven and we responded in order to remain competitive for our customers· Against this background we have grown sales in our Destination categories of Beauty and Food and improved full price share[1] in a Fashion market that continues to decline. A disappointing Gift performance drove increased promotional activity in this important seasonal category · In response to competitor discounting we have managed inventory tightly through tactical promotional activity whilst flowing stock more efficiently. This is reflected in weaker gross margins, but as a result, we expect to exit H1 with stock levels down year on year in line with our plan· Positive momentum in digital sales growth has been driven by further strong growth in smartphone demand - up 36% year on year, with a c20% improvement in conversion rate following the progressive web-app driven improvements made to our mobile site· Internationally, Magasin du Nord in Denmark and Debenhams in the Republic of Ireland delivered positive LFL growth in constant currency. Other markets remain mixed.Strategic Update and Cost Guidance· We have seen encouraging indications from initiatives under our Debenhams Redesigned strategy. For example, early signs from our store format trials including new stores at Stevenage and Wolverhampton and our first 'right-sized' store in Uxbridge are promising· The improvements driven in digital performance through our partnership with Mobify will build through the coming year as we introduce further platform upgrades· As part of our plan to simplify and focus our operations, we have been working on a new, more flexible operating model that will result in reorganisation and restructuring activity both in our stores and in our support centre· As a result of this and a review of central costs, we expect to generate further annualised savings of c£20m, of which c£10m will be realised in H2 FY2018. Consequently, FY2018 costs are now expected to rise by c+1% compared with previous guidance of +1% to +2%· We are accelerating some aspects of our strategic plan to deliver a long term sustainable future for Debenhams and continue to review activities that could be more rapidly and profitably delivered through partnershipsSergio Bucher, Chief Executive of Debenhams, said:"The market has been challenging and particularly promotional in some of our key seasonal categories and we have
the rag
03 Jan 2018
Re: Debenhams APP [link]
TX2
02 Jan 2018
Re: Debenhams APP Debenhams normally gives a update on the 18 week Christmas trading period to first Saturday after New Years day in January on about the last weekday of the following week. So expect an update around Friday 12th January.
mexicoman
02 Jan 2018
Re: Debenhams APP News need good news
The Revenge of Meredith Hunter
01 Jan 2018
Re: Debenhams APP Any breaking what, Mexicoman?Possibly the breaking of investor patience under not so super Sergio.I can't see him turning around Debenhams. There seem to be even more discount days than under the previous regime. This will have a detrimental effect on profit margins.
mexicoman
22 Dec 2017
Re: Debenhams APP Any breaking
The Revenge of Meredith Hunter
21 Dec 2017
Debenhams APP I used to use the Debenhams app on my iPhone. It appears to be discontinued and directs you to their website. It's pretty unimpressive that they don't have a working iPhone app.What is Sergio Boucher doing for his massive paycheque? He seems to be taking us backward.
