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Retail & Consumer

Debenhams makes first profit since Boohoo rescue despite sales halving

Debenhams, which was acquired out of administration by Boohoo in 2021, has recorded a pre-tax profit of £4.5 million for the year to 29 February, 2024, having made a pre-tax loss of £732,000 in the prior 12 months

Debenhams was rescued out of administration by Boohoo in 2021(Image: Getty)

Debenhams, acquired by Boohoo from administration in 2021, has reported a turnaround to profitability even as revenues experienced a more than 50% reduction. In the period ending 29 February, 2024, the retailer recorded a pre-tax profit of £4.5m, contrasting sharply with a pre-tax loss of £732,000 in the previous year.

Revenue declined to £39.7m from the earlier figure of £87.1m. Looking back further, Debenhams' revenue was £56.9m, alongside a pre-tax loss of £11.7m, as reported by .

Nonetheless, the company's gross merchandise value saw a considerable increase to £359.6m — a 65% rise — and its EBITDA also doubled, reaching £10.4m. º£½ÇÊÓÆµ sales decreased from £73.5m to £39.7m, while international revenue streams dried up, having contributed £13.5m in the preceding financial cycle.

The workforce size at Debenhams also dropped significantly, falling from 115 employees to just 24 over the course of the year.

The numbers detailed belong solely to DBZ Marketplace Online Ltd, operating under the Debenhams name, not to be confused with Debenhams Brands Online Ltd, which includes such labels as Burton, Dorothy Perkins, Wallis, and Oasis within the Boohoo portfolio. This newer entity, incorporated in May 2023, achieved sales totalling £138.6m and a pre-tax profit of £950,000 for the year ending on 29 February, 2024.

Dan Finley, CEO of Boohoo and Debenhams, commented on the results: "Debenhams is an iconic British heritage brand. ".

The company behind the revival of Debenhams has expressed optimism about its transformation into "Britain’s online department store."

A spokesperson for the firm stated: "We bought it out of administration and are making great progress transforming it into Britain’s online department store."