Debenhams to open Melbourne store

Last year, British department store retailer Debenhams announced a partnership with Harris Scarfe, a chain of Australian department stores.

Now, Australian media, principally the Australian Financial Review, reports that the British retailer is set to open a 4,000 sqm. store in the redeveloped St Collins Lane building in Melbourne. Described as a "luxury fashion precinct," stores already at St Collins include Coach, Sandro and Kooples.

There are plans to open four or five Debenhams stores in Australia over the next three years, and 10 over the longer term. Harris Scarfe will also stock Debenhams' designer range, as well as other womenswear, menswear and accessories from the retailer.

British department store retailers seem keen to focus on international expansion at the moment. It was just revealed that John Lewis, another British high street department store retailer, has signed a new partnership with Irish department store Arnotts that will see the British retailer become physically available in Ireland this year for the first time.

Debenhams just reported a 0.2% fall in like-for-like sales in the 15 weeks to June 11, its fiscal third quarter, saying trading conditions had become more uncertain, particularly in clothing.

Debenhams to open Melbourne store

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