Drastic measures are fine, but Debenhams also needs a solid plan

Cutting stores and negotiating lower rents will help – but these alone will not save Debenhams Christmas matters for all retailers, but for some it matters more. After announcing plans to close 50 stores, the stakes are now especially high for Debenhams.Conditions in the high street could hardly be tougher, with structural change resulting from the move to online shopping meshing with a cyclical downturn caused by a squeeze on living standards and rising costs. Related: Debenhams to close