Debenhams website overwhelmed by bargain hunters
Shoppers have been waiting in queues for over an hour on the Debenhams website as they look to bag deals following the retailer’s collapse in to liquidation.
The department store chain is being wound down after JD Sports pulled out of talks on a rescue takeover.
Many bargain hunters have taken to social media to express their frustration at being stuck in virtual queues and, in some cases, being kicked out of said queues.
Debenhams said in a statement: "The sale process has not resulted in a deliverable proposal.”
"Given the current trading environment and the likely prolonged effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the outlook for a restructured operation is highly uncertain.”
"The administrators have therefore regretfully concluded that they should commence a wind-down of Debenhams UK, whilst continuing to seek offers for all or parts of the business."
“Regrettable, sad and so easily predicted”
The demise of Debenhams comes as no great surprise, observes Richard Hammond, founder of retail analytics startup Uncrowd.
“For all that Debenhams was awful, I'm going to miss it. For the people who work there, my heart hurts. Nobody deserves what's happening to you a few weeks before Christmas. I hope our industry can step up and help,” he said in a LinkedIn post.
He added: “The desperate lack of imagination that has allowed this to come to pass is regrettable, sad and so easily predicted. I knew Debenhams was doomed the moment I arrived for a meeting at the new head office they decamped to a few years back.”
“They shared a freshly minted building with Facebook. Facebook occupied two floors, but Debenhams needed three. Obviously. Squirrelled away from any chance of even accidentally encountering a customer, the more easily the leadership could steward Debenhams' demise.”
He concluded: “Let’s pretend Selfridges doesn't exist and Fenwick doesn't exist and Harvey Nicks doesn't exist and repeat the lie that the department store is yesterday's format. I mean, Amazon? What's that? A shit department store. We can do better.”