Department store chain Debenhams warned today that profits will miss expectations after January’s snowstorms blew a hole in sales figures.

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

Debenhams, the department stores group, raised its targets for online and international growth after showing its resilience to weak market conditions with a 4.2% rise in year profit.

Department store Debenhams hailed a resurgent year on the UK high street as it announced plans to open another 17 British stores over the next five years.

Department store Debenhams hailed a resurgent year on the high street as it announced plans to open another 17 UK stores over the next five years.

Debenhams, the department store group with 167 stores across Britain and Ireland, showed its resilience to weak market conditions, posting an acceleration in underlying sales growth this summer when rivals, including Next, saw a drop-off in trade.

Department store chain Debenhams posted higher profits today but it warned the Olympics and the Euro 2012 tournament may disrupt future sales.

Debenhams has reported stronger sales growth as customers sought bargains in the post-holiday clearance and responded to a new marketing campaign.

A successful January sale and well-received spring ranges helped department store chain Debenhams make a “resilient” start to 2012.

TWO British high street giants with significant Irish operations — Debenhams and Marks and Spencer — have reported positive sales for the festive period.

A surge in sales in the final week before Christmas helped department store chain Debenhams weather tough autumn trading today.

DEBENHAMS saw revenues at its Irish stores continue to slide this year, but it is planning to open two stores in the coming years.

The new boss of department store chain Debenhams has announced plans to modernise a further 25 stores and open nine new outlets over the next four years - including in Carlow and Sligo.

Retailer Debenhams has announced plans to hire an additional 680 seasonal staff for its 16 stores across the country.

DEBENHAMS said yesterday it would beat forecasts for full-year profit and net debt after price cuts drove sales and won it market share in a tough trading environment.

British department store Debenhams offered some cheer for shoppers today as it signalled the recent surge in cotton prices may have peaked.

MIDDLE-AGED models are being used for a new Debenhams campaign aimed at the “forgotten” older shopper.

CHRISTMAS has come early for Irish bargain hunters.

One of Britain's leading female retailers is to leave a senior role at Debenhams after less than a year, the department store announced today.