Debenhams set to create 1,200 jobs

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The retailer, which has 153 stores in the UK and Ireland, said it planned to open eight new outlets in the next 18 months, creating full and part-time positions.

Debenhams also announced that like-for-like sales declined 3.6% in the first half of its financial year and warned that trading would "remain challenging".

Six new department stores are to open in Kidderminster, Newcastle upon Tyne, Carmarthen, Wakefield, Bury and Bath. Debenhams said there will be two further smaller stores in Witney, Oxfordshire, and Monks Cross, York.

In its trading update, Debenhams said strong sales of its designer wear and own bought ranges would help push profits for the 26 weeks to February 28 ahead of last year. The retailer took £94.1 million in profits for the first half of last year.

Debenhams chief executive Rob Templeman said the firm was "pleased" with its results "given the extremely difficult trading conditions experienced across the high street".

He said that while Debenhams had seen like-for-like sales decline in recent months, both the value of transactions and margins had increased, helping the company boost profits.

He said the firm's main focus was on cash profit, rather than sales, and "our increase in profits during the first half despite the environment is testament to this aim and to the close management of resources throughout the business".

But he warned: "Visibility for the second half remains poor and we will continue to run Debenhams in the expectation that the trading environment will remain challenging."

Panmure Gordon said the announcement of a profits rise was "remarkable" and "unique in the general retail sector".