Debenhams Launches Android & Nokia Apps for Shoppers on the Move

By Debenhams, PRNE
Tuesday, March 22, 2011

LONDON, March 23, 2011 - Debenhams has launched its latest app for the professional shopper on
Android and Nokia phones, making the retailer the first on the high street to
offer apps for the three key smartphones.

The free-to-download, fully transactional apps follow the highly
successful launch of the Debenhams iPhone app in October 2010. Designed to
target the on-the-move shopper and enrich the in-store experience, the
Debenhams iPhone app achieved 360,000 downloads and sales of nearly GBP1
million
within five months of launch.

With the success of the iPhone app and sales on the Debenhams website
increasing by 82.4%*, Debenhams has extended its multi channel business to
include mobile phone users with Android and Nokia phones.

The Android app features a 'Barcode Scanner', the first by a high street
retailer. This acts as a virtual shopping assistant, using the phone's camera
to snap product barcodes, automatically checking pricing and reviews. The
barcode scanner has proved a popular feature on the iPhone app, with
customers using it over 90,000 times in the first five months.

Customers can also use the scanner to access exclusive products and
offers by looking out for specially generated visual QR codes in advertising
and Debenhams' store windows.

Harriet Williams, head of Digital Development for Debenhams said, "Our
iPhone app has already seen 2.4 million shopping sessions with 110,000
customers using the app more than five times.*

"Launching on the Android and Nokia platforms opens Debenhams mobile
shopping to millions more customers, bridging the gap between the high street
and Debenhams.com.

"Acting as a pocket personal shopper (
www.debenhams.com/customer-service/personal-shopper), downloading the
Debenhams mobile apps (www.debenhams.com/app) means that getting lost,
not being able to find your size and having to carry heavy bags home are
pitfalls of shopping trips past."

Customers no longer have to scroll endlessly through reams of products
online. The apps enable customers to narrow down the selection of items
displayed by type, brand, colour, price and size. Bargain-hunting shoppers
can even select to shop for sale items only.

The 'Wish List' feature has been designed to allow users create their
shopping list and email their list to friends and family as gift ideas
(www.debenhams.com/gifts-toys) for birthdays and Christmas. Wish lists
can either be created by scanning products in store or by selecting them in
the app.

'Store Finder' is the shopping sat-nav, helping customers locate their
nearest Debenhams store and view store contact details, opening hours,
facilities and a floor guide.

Keith Varty, head of Apps and Brand Partnerships, Nokia UK, said "We're
delighted to welcome Debenhams to the Ovi Store, with a great app that allows
Nokia users to explore and purchase goods on the go, from one of the nation's
leading retailers."

Williams added, "The launch of the Android and Nokia apps also brings
Debenhams to an expanded international audience. With shopping and delivery
on the iPhone app proving popular as far away as the USA, Australia and New
Zealand
, time-poor consumers can now enjoy Debenhams directly from their
mobile wherever and whenever they like."

Notes to editors:

* Sales from Debenhams Direct increased by 82.4% (excluding VAT) during
the first half of the year.

About Debenhams:

Debenhams is a leading department stores group with a strong presence in
key product categories including womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, home
and health and beauty.

Debenhams is the second largest department store chain in the UK.

Debenhams operates 161 stores in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Debenhams also has 61 international franchise stores in 24 countries and six
Magasin stores in Denmark.

Designers at Debenhams include Preen, Jonathan Saunders, Jonathan Kelsey,
Roksanda Ilincic, Ted Baker, Jeff Banks, Jasper Conran, Erickson Beamon,
FrostFrench, Henry Holland, Betty Jackson, Ben de Lisi, Julien Macdonald,
Melissa Odabash, Jane Packer, Pearce Fionda, Janet Reger, John Rocha, Lisa
Stickley
, Eric Van Peterson and Matthew Williamson.

    PR contact:

    Ruth Attridge
    PR Manager
    Menswear, Beauty, International & Retail Services
    Debenhams
    33 Wigmore Street
    London
    W1U 1QX
    +44(0)8445616161

    www.debenhams.com

PR contact: Ruth Attridge, PR Manager, Menswear, Beauty, International & Retail Services, Debenhams, 33 Wigmore Street, London, W1U 1QX, +44(0)8445616161

YOUR VIEW POINT
NAME : (REQUIRED)
MAIL : (REQUIRED)
will not be displayed
WEBSITE : (OPTIONAL)
YOUR
COMMENT :