Debenhams Middle East unaffected by the store closures in the UK

British department store group Debenhams announced the permanent closure of its operations in the UK last month putting thousands of jobs at risk.

What does that mean for the stores in the UAE?

Kuwait-based Alshaya Group, the franchise owner of Debenhams in the region said that the Middle East operations are not going to be affected and the stores in the region will continue to remain open.

“Whilst the UK high street faces ongoing challenges, Alshaya Group confirms that the recent UK news announcements about Arcadia Group and Debenhams do not affect its Middle East business operations and our stores will continue to welcome customers as normal”, Alshaya said.

Debenhams UK announced its liquidation less than a day after its biggest concession operator Arcadia fashion group collapsed into administration. Their UK operations have been struggling for years now and were placed in administration for the second time in a year in April.

Previously, they had been in rescue talks with JD Sports, but the sports retailer pulled out of the talks when Arcadia went under.

In the Middle East, Debenhams is owned by the Alshaya Group that also owns Starbucks, H&M, Mothercare, American Eagle Outfitters, P.F. Chang’s, The Cheesecake Factory, The Body Shop, M.A.C, Victoria’s Secret, Boots, Pottery Barn and KidZania.