Debenhams sparks £250 million price war
Department store Debenhams will this week light the blue touch paper of a massive advertising campaign to blitz the UK retail sector and attract more and more business for the group in the run-up of Christmas. Having put aside £250 million for this ongoing price war we are soon to see one of the most competitive festive periods compared to Christmas periods of years gone by.
Recent reports forecast a £500 million shortfall in consumer spending over the festive period, compared to the same period in 2008. This is a massive reduction and one which will see the big players fighting for a slice of the smaller pie while the smaller players are left to battle over the crumbs. As a consequence, as we have mentioned on a number of occasions, we are likely to see a number of businesses suffering come January and we will see many companies go out of business.
Only last week we saw Asda and Tesco respond to competition in the market place and now Debenhams has pushed itself forward for consumer attention. Even if the UK economy is set for a gradual recovery, it has come too late for the festive period of 2009 and it will be a difficult trading period for retailers up and down the country.
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