Debenhams, Debenhams plans 1,000 new jobs

Manufacturing News, Source : TheManufacturer.com
Published : 16 Apr 2002 9:15

Debenhams plans to create 1,000 new jobs after revealing a 14 per cent rise in profits.

Interim pre-tax profits increased to £92.1 million, from £80.8 million. Total sales grew by 8.1 per cent to £937.9 million, from £867.4 million. The interim dividend to be paid to shareholders is being increased by 8.7 per cent to 5p per share, from 4.6p last time.

Debenhams plans to open four new stores in the next financial year, in Basingstoke, Redditch, East Kilbride and Inverness. The group also planned to increase its international presence after signing a franchise agreement covering the Czech Republic.

The UK store openings were expected to add two per cent to total sales next year and a further boost should come in home shopping.

But chief executive Belinda Earl commented: "It is a competitive marketplace, but we welcome competition and we are very happy with where we are trading at the moment."

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