Women's Fashions Boosts Debenhams' Sales

London-based department store group Debenhams posted a 3.9 per cent rise in second half same-store sales due to strong demand for its women's fashions.

For the 26 weeks to Saturday 30 August 2003, total sales were up 7.9% with like for like sales up 3.9%. For the full year to 30 August 2003 total sales were up 6.7% with like for like sales up 3.7%. The gross margin for the 26 weeks to Saturday 30 August 2003 was up by 0.7 percentage points and for the full year to 30 August 2003 was up by 0.4 percentage points.

Belinda Earl, Chief Executive of Debenhams, commented: "Since we updated the market in July, Debenhams has continued to trade in line with our expectations. The business is benefiting from our investment in the Debenhams brand and our stores, along with an improving performance in Womenswear. We look forward to the opening of our new stores in Birmingham Bullring this week and in Londonderry later this month, which together will add almost 200,000 square feet of trading space."