Interim Management Statement

RNS Number:7590L
Debenhams plc
15 January 2008

15 January 2008



                                 DEBENHAMS plc

                          INTERIM MANAGEMENT STATEMENT

                            Strong Christmas trading

Debenhams plc, the leading department stores group, today releases its interim
management statement for the year-to-date ended 5 January 2008.

For the four weeks of Christmas ended 5 January 2008, total sales were 4.4%
higher than last year.  Like-for-like sales for the Christmas period increased
by 2.2%.

For the 18 weeks ended 5 January 2008, total sales were 2.0% above the
comparative period last year.  Like-for-like sales for the 18 weeks were flat,
reflecting the poor general market conditions experienced across the sector
earlier in this period.

The performance of the exclusive Designers at Debenhams brands has been
particularly pleasing and contributed to the overall market share gains achieved
in the last few months.

Debenhams Direct, the online business, continued to grow strongly with visitor
numbers and sales up 57% and 85% respectively.  The international business also
performed well.

Since the start of the year three new and two resited department stores and one
Desire store have been opened, increasing trading space by some 197,000 square
feet.  The total number of stores within the UK and Ireland now stands at 146
compared to 139 at this time last year.   Refurbishment programmes have been
completed at 18 stores this year and refurbished stores continue to achieve the
expected returns.

Angela Spindler has been appointed Managing Director, reporting to Chief
Executive Rob Templeman, and will join the board and the company on 4 February
2008.



Rob Templeman, Chief Executive, said:

"Our sales during Christmas and early January were strong with like-for-like
sales up by 2.2%.  This offset the weak market experienced in November and
resulted in flat like-for-like sales growth for the first 18 weeks of the year.

"The Roches acquisition in the Republic of Ireland is now fully operational in
the Debenhams trading format and these stores performed well over the Christmas
period.

"The fragile state of consumer confidence leads us to view the future with
caution and we are running the business on the basis that market conditions will
remain difficult.  To this end, we are focusing more on our designer
credentials, which we believe will be more resilient in this environment, as
well as managing our cost base, the speed of our refit and capital expenditure
programmes and our inventory levels tightly."

Debenhams will announce its first half sales numbers on 18 March 2008 and its
interim results on 15 April 2008.

A conference call will be held today at 8:30am on 0845 2455000 (UK) or +44 (0)
1452 562716 (overseas), conference ID 30679359.  A replay of the call will be
available for seven days on 0845 2455205 (UK) or +44 (0) 1452 550000 (overseas),
PIN 30679359#.

Enquiries

Analysts/Shareholders
Debenhams plc
Rob Templeman, Chief Executive
Chris Woodhouse, Finance Director                                  020 7408 3302
Lisa Williams, Investor Relations                                  020 7408 3304

Media
Financial Dynamics
Jonathon Brill                                                     020 7269 7170
Billy Clegg                                                        020 7269 7157
Caroline Stewart                                                   020 7269 7227

High resolution images are available for media to view and download free of
charge from www.prshots.com/Debenhams.

Statements made in this announcement that look forward in time or that express
management's beliefs, expectations or estimates regarding future occurrences and
prospects are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United
States federal securities laws.  These forward-looking statements reflect
Debenhams' current expectations concerning future events and actual results may
differ materially from current expectations or historical results.  Any such
forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties,
including: Debenhams' ability to accurately predict customer preferences and
demands; the effectiveness of Debenhams' brand awareness and marketing
programmes; the occurrence of weak sales during peak selling seasons or extreme
or unseasonal weather conditions; difficult market conditions and fragile
consumer confidence; competitive factors in the highly competitive retail
industry; Debenhams' ability to successfully implement its new store rollout and
department store refurbishment/modernization strategy; Debenhams' ability to
maintain its relationships with certain designers and its significant concession
partner; and currency fluctuations and currency risk.

                           *           *           *

Additional risk factors that you may want to consider are:  Debenhams' ability
to retain key management and personnel; disruptions or other adverse events
affecting Debenhams' relationship with its major suppliers or its store card
provider; factors outside Debenhams' control, such as changes in the financial
or equity markets, adverse economic conditions or a downturn in the retail
industry, or damage or interruptions due to operational disruption, natural
disaster, war or terrorist activity; and work stoppages; slowdowns or strikes.



Notes to Editors

Debenhams is a leading department stores group with a strong presence in key
product categories, such as womenswear, menswear, homeware and health and
beauty.

Debenhams has a total of 136 department stores in the UK and Republic Ireland
and 10 Desire by Debenhams stores, which are a new small store concept featuring
a mix of womenswear, accessories, lingerie, cosmetics and childrenswear.
Debenhams has a further 40 international franchise stores in 16 countries and an
online store, www.debenhams.com, through which much of the Debenhams' range is
available.

Debenhams is the second largest department store chain in the UK.

Designers at Debenhams include Ted Baker, Jasper Conran, Theo Fennell, Pearce
Fionda, Frost French, Betty Jackson, Ben de Lisi, Julien Macdonald, John
Richmond, John Rocha and Matthew Williamson.


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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