Debenhams to trial Sports Direct and Costa outlets

Department store group Debenhams is to launch a trial that will bring Sports Direct and Costa concessions into a number of its stores before the end of the year.

The news came as the retailer reported a 1 per cent fall in like-for-like sales for the 15 weeks to 14 June and said customers “are not yet seeing a significant improvement in their disposable income”.

Sports Direct, which has an option to buy a 6.6 per cent stake in Debenhams, will open two concessions in Harrow and Southsea during August, with the potential for more before the end of the year, while Costa will open in six stores next month.

Debenhams said it was in talks with a number of other brands. It also announced today that it plans to sell £200 million of bonds to take advantage of the “current attractive state of credit markets”.