Debenhams Group agrees new micro-donation partnership with Pennies as it ramps up support for BHF

Debenhams Group has announced a new partnership with Pennies. Its customers will now be able to make optional donations at checkout - by rounding up their total spend to the nearest pound for charity - a process known as micro-donating. 

Debenhams Group has initially pledged for its customer donations to go towards the work of the British Heart Foundation (BHF). Since 2017, it has supported the BHF through sample donations to their retail stores from all the Debenhams Group brands, including Pretty Little Thing, boohoo and MAN. 

The partnership comes at a significant moment for Debenhams Group, which last week announced a rebrand and that it would be rolling out its marketplace model across its other brands: Karen Millen, PrettyLittleThing, MAN and boohoo.

Dan Finley, Chief Executive Officer at Debenhams Group, says: “I’m delighted to be partnering with Pennies and empowering customers to make a tangible difference when they shop with us. This partnership is representative of the community spirit that sits at the very heart of Debenhams Group and is an important part of our new Group ESG commitments."

“We have a proud history supporting the vital work of the British Heart Foundation and look forward to extending this support to even more charities in the future through our Pennies partnership.”

Alison Hutchinson, Chief Executive Officer at Pennies, says: “Our collaboration with Debenhams Group is a significant milestone in Pennies’ mission to make giving easier and more accessible for everyone. Debenhams Group is an impressive company with a broad customer base, and we’re excited by the prospect of reaching so many people with micro-donations and raising funds initially for the British Heart Foundation through this partnership.” 

Teresa Hicks, Director of Corporate Partnerships at the British Heart Foundation, says: “From what began as a local business supporting its local charity shop through clothing donations, it’s fantastic to see how our partnership with Debenhams Group has grown.”

“With 7.6 million people living with heart and circulatory conditions in the UK, our work has never been more needed. We are thrilled to be working with Pennies to receive donations to help fund our vital research into one of the UK’s biggest killers and want to thank Debenhams Group customers for their generosity.”

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

ESG commitments will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards. which will open for entries in March, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.