Debenhams hoping for catalogue of success

The 68-page homewares catalogue, which has been sent out to the chain’s 195,000 store card holders, is designed to draw shoppers to its website and sell more electrical goods and furniture, which are not stocked in all its stores.

The move increases the chain’s competition with Argos, which last week revealed underlying profits fell 94 per cent to £3.4m in the 26 weeks to August 27 as customers bought fewer electrical items, such as TVs and computer game consoles.

Meanwhile, Debenhams performance was “bullish” with pre-tax profits up 10 per cent to £166.1m in the 53 weeks to September 3, as it benefited from selling more of its higher margin exclusive ranges.

The chain’s new chief executive Michael Sharp insisted the UK high street was “alive and well” and announced plans to modernise a further 25 stores and open nine new outlets over the next four years.