Record December sales for Debenhams

Debenhams hailed its best ever December performance today after ramping up pre-Christmas discounting to attract cost-conscious shoppers.

The group, which has 155 UK stores, with seven locations in Ireland and 73 overseas outlets, cut prices by up to 50% in one-day promotions on some products in what chief executive Michael Sharp said was the most competitive Christmas in his 37-year career in retail.