The pandemic dealt a devastating blow to the department store
(Debenhams)
It was recently announced that British department store Debenhams is set to close permanently after 242 years of trading, having been in administration since April.
The struggling retailer has previously cut approximately 6,500 jobs since May as the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent months-long lockdown dealt a devastating blow to the high street.
The business is soon to enter liquidation, meaning 12,000 employees could lose their jobs, unless a deal is made with the administrators.
JD Sports were, up until last week, the only remaining bidder for the firm, but following the collapse of the Arcadia Group, which owns Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins, Wallis and Evans, pulled out of talks for a rescue deal. It is believed this is due to Arcadia being the biggest concession operator of Debenhams, which accounts for £75m of sales.
As a result, there is a closing down sale that was launched by Debenhams, online and in-store, from 7am on 2 December, which proved popular with online customers as the website became overwhelmed with visitors; it was forced to implement a virtual queue of thousands, before the site crashed before midday. It’s now back up and running, with an estimated seven minute wait time to enter the site.
Store stock will be available until it’s all sold, and all orders made during the Black Friday sales will be fulfilled, and returns will carry on as normal for now. It’s also still accepting payment via gift cards until further notice, so if you’ve got one, spend it now.
To help you with your Christmas shopping, we’ve rounded up the deals on offer you can shop now, from beauty to furniture and everything in between.
You can trust our independent round-ups. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.
Debenhams Amalfi velvet Eliza loveseat: Was £1,190, now £595
If you’ve recently improved your home cinema set-up thanks to some great savings over Black Friday, then you’re going to want to make sure you’re sitting comfortably while you stream your favourite boxsets. Enter this loveseat. Tailor the design to suit your living space by choosing a fabric, from textured weave to velvet, and a particular colour. If it were us, it’d be this velvet pink number along with the matching two-seater sofa.
Buy now
Levi’s – Boys’ White Batwing Logo Tow: Was £20-£22, now £14-£15
Levi’s is well known for its quality, so snap up this top that will no doubt get plenty of wear while it’s available. Stocked in sizes ranging from age six to 16, it’s a minimal effort top. Machine washable and made from 100 per cent cotton, the batwing logo adds a fun touch to the simple, classic design.
Buy now
Tefal – Black Easy Fry Compact Digital Air Fryer: Was 90, now £60
This compact air fryer will allow you to cook up a feast without much oil, providing a healthier alternative to foods such as chips. It fits two portions of food, making it ideal for couples and smaller households, with six preset program and touchscreen controls that will be easy to navigate. Anything that saves us cooking is a win from us.
The Tefal actifry genius XL 2in1 healthy air fryer has also topped our review of the best air fryers, which our tester said: “This beast of a machine is the latest version of the extremely popular Tefal actifry which, in our opinion, makes the best chips ever with cloud-like fluffiness and a golden brown crispy casing.”
Buy now
Urban Decay Naked Ultraviolet Eye Shadow Palette: Was £43, now £36.55
This palette offers a versatile mix of shimmery and matte shades in neutral colours, pastel hues and high impact jewel tones that are easy to blend and buttery soft.
Whether you want a lavender look or an all-over copper shimmer, it has everything you need and is a great starting base to experiment with colour, especially if you typically stick taupe, brown and beige shades.
Buy now
J by Jasper Conran – Baby Girls’ Pink Floral Cotton Sleepsuit: Was £12, now £8.40
Babies grow so quickly, that it often means there’s no need to splash out on expensive clothing. But this bargain sleepsuit, suitable for newborns all the way up to nine months, means it’s kind to your bank account and can be handed down once your child grows out of it. It has a sweet floral pattern and popper buttons for fast changing too.
Buy now
Tog 24 – Black Garrick Waterproof Parka: Was £150, now £80
A parka is a classic coat designed to withstand blustery, wet British weather and will keep the warmth in and chill out when you’re out the house. Available in sizes S to 4XL, it has a water repellent coating and taped seams that will keep you dry at all times too. Its fill is synthetic and the faux fur hood is detachable too.
Buy now
HUGO BOSS – ‘Boss Bottled Night’ Eau De Toilette 200ml: Was £88, now £44
You can’t go wrong with aftershave at Christmas, and this offering from Hugo Boss currently has 50 per cent off. With notes of African violet, lavender and birch heart, this scent is a spicy, woody mix with an intense pay-off. Treat the man in your life to this bottle while stocks last.
Buy now
Magimix – Chrome ‘Nespresso Vertuo Next & Milk by Magimix’ Coffee Machine: Was £250, now £170
Upgrade your morning coffee from a spoon of the instant stuff to a barista-quality cup with this Nespresso machine that currently has £80 off. Simply press one button and let the machine get to work, with a removable drip tray and a 1.1I water jug to whip up espressos, lattes and Americanos. It also comes with a milk frother too. The Nespresso vertuoplus has also appeared in our review of the best pod coffee machines so you’re in good hands with these caffeine experts.
Buy now
Benefit cheers, my dears’ beauty tin gift set: £46.50, now £39.52
Deals on full sized Benefit products are few and far between, and with four make-up bag staples, this kit is a steal. Hoola bronzer has a cult following due to its suits-all shade, and Benefit’s number one pore primer makes a great base for make-up. With a swish of badgal bang! volumising mascara and building up your brows with the eyebrow pencil, you’ve got an entire make-up look. Wrapped in a reusable tin, this makes a handy gift, or you could just keep it for yourself.
Buy now
Wallis – Grey Faux Fur Collar Biker Jacket: Was £65, now £26
A biker-style faux leather jacket is a wardrobe essential, that can be worn with every outfit, be it jeans, dresses, skirts or jumpsuits. The fur collar will keep you warm and cosy and the grey hue is an easy alternative to black. With £39 off, it’s bargain too good to miss.
Buy now
For more on winter fashion, read our guide to the 10 best men’s winter coats, from parkas to raincoats
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