what is with Mumsnetters and DEBENHAMS?

[KarlWrenbury]

This is a shop that to me is eminently forgettable and is only useful for buying branded make up, department store style.

What am I missing that so many S and B threads look there first?!

I always think it's a bit grim, like BHS. As if they haven't moved on since 1992. I go in for underwear or make-up generally. My local store is kept at a constant 38 degrees celcius. I nearly pass out through heat stroke every time I go in there. I live in quite a deprived area and I think they cater to the local demographic so that's probably why there's nothing to see in there. If I want quality clothing I go to John Lewis or House of Fraser in the next town.

Debenhams is not terribly exciting admittedly but if you live in a provincial town with no John Lewis or House of Fraser or similar and you don't have a ginormous budget for fancy designer boutiques then you can usually find something fairly respectable and acceptable in Debenhams. They have some half decent concessions in there and at least it means you are not at the mercy of Per Una.

I like the Meadowhall Debenhams. It isn't cramped at all.

I'm with you, Karl. It's a horrible shopping experience for all the reasons outlined above - cramped, poorly organised, indifferent service, bad lighting. If they culled 30-40% of the clothes and edited what was left to within an inch of its life, I am sure they would attract far more custom. Or perhaps I am just an irredeemable snob who hasn't been in for a while...

I hate it. The clothes are mostly bloody awful and agree about the depressing lighting and layout.

I walked through the Westfield store recently and thought 'blimey, if they can't even make a flagship store look / feel ok, then they are doomed'.

I love their j by jasper Conran kids range. But their adult stuff is bokeworthy.

How they can get it so wrong yet make amazing kids clothes is beyond me!

I like our debenhams, big open and bright. Have bought a couple of non prom dresses for holidays and shorts. sticks tongue out

no idea, provincial town would be my best guess

I hate it, except for the fsct that they sometimes have shoes at amazingly reduced prices. Branded makeup I get from Boots where possible, because of points.

The Birmingham one is invariably filthy, and full of people who stand around looking gormless at the top or bottom of escalators. Drives me bonkers, so I rarely go in.

Oh and they have a men's range called, "St George" or somesuch, which does lovely soft t-shirts that I buy for dp.

I like Debenhams stuff and shop there regularly. Perhaps that makes me eminently forgettable??

Because its handy for work and l like the concessions.

I don;t particularly like the shop or the experience of shopping at Debenhams, but it is handy, I work on the outskirts of a city , live in the countryside and have 2 small dc. My shopping opportunities are limited.

Remus Is that Duffer of St George?

Their stuff is really lovely. Have bought DP a few shirts and jumpers.

Think they're a separate brand rather than an in house Debenhams section.

I don't think I've ever seen the Duffer St George stuff anywhere but Debenhams though?

I will stick my tongue out with you Letthemtalk

I find it's just a department store clothes shop. It sells the same stuff as every other clothes shop on the high street. No better, no worse. I've had some good clothes from there and I've seen some hideous (and severely overpriced) stuff in there too.

The make up counters are like any other: staffed by strange orange women who look as if their faces might peel off at any second.

Utterly forgettable shop, just like most of its competitors.

I think so, Eyeliner. I've never seen it anywhere else. The t-shirts wash and wash and still look new. Lovely.

I used to work in a town where dedenhams was the only shop that didn't either sell tartan jumpers and jimmy hats or ghastly tie dyed rags. I used to wonder forlornly through the j for debenhams bollocks. Eventually I got Stockholm syndrome and bought a few t shirts

Got to agree with OP - my 2 nearest Debenhams are shambolic, more like a jumble sale that a lush department store. I am spoilt as I have a great John Lewis nearby but Debenhams (and Boots) seem to have lost their way in the last few years.

Even the concessions manage to be crammed in and badly laid out.

Like their beach gear and kids clothes but don't buy kids things as same price as John Lewis, would rather get JL stuff. I think they need to be a but more affordable as I see debenhams as a cheaper place than JL.

I recently 'did' that end of the Trafford centre (debenhams and next rather than my usual John Lewis and m&s), decided to skip debenhams in the future, tis shite.

I only shop in debenhams online as at least you can search and weed out all the tat. Their sales are good too if you are looking for a bargain special occasion dress. Having said that, not bought anything there for a year or two.

I love out local debenhams. Its one of the few shops I can get round with the pushchair and not be constantly knocking clothes off the rails or simply can't get to half of the store. It was only built a few years ago though so that could be why.

I've never ventured past the eyebrow threading lady.

Debenhams is Xmas novelty socks for dads, PFBs in John Rocha and mother of the bride suits.

Underwear is good, esp if you've been MN bra guru'd, are now an awkward size and don't live near a Bravissimo.

They've lost me too (apart from the beauty hall - I like their reward card). Not sure whether they have changed, or I have, but recall for instance the original Betty Jackson 'designers' line was genuinely interesting and made with decent fabrics. Now just seems the epitome of middle aged. Also really dislike their refusal to refund on sale items. Strong grounds alone to shop elsewhere.