Debenhams Reveals Shoppers are Pocketing Luggage Charges

LONDON, August 24, 2010 - Debenhams has revealed that instead of paying expensive
charges for stowing cases in the hold of the plane, canny holidaymakers are
using their free hand luggage allowance and "wearing" the rest of their
baggage. The fashion retailer has seen sales of coats and jackets with
multiple pockets rise by as much as 350% over the summer holiday period.

The retailer is putting the new trend down to reports from the
shop floor that customers prefer to pack heavier items such as books, towels,
electronic net books and cameras, into large pocketed garments, rather than
pay fees up to GBP40 return charged by some low-cost airlines for suitcases
(www.debenhams.com/home-furniture/luggage/suitcases) stowed in the
hold.

As a result, sales of Debenhams' John Rocha (
www.debenhams.com/designers/john-rocha) navy blue parka with six
pockets have gone up by 350% and sales of the beige Mantaray five pocket
bomber jackets, which even have a discreet pocket in the sleeve, have jumped
by 200%. Sales of Debenhams Mantaray shower proof coat with 7 pockets have
also leapt by 181%.

Carie Barkhuizen, spokeswoman for Debenhams, said: "Worn
strategically, multi-pocket coats and trousers can offer up to 10 pockets to
stow everything from spare pants and socks, to bikinis and sarongs. It's
traveling light like we have never seen before.

"Our sales assistants have even reported some customers coming
in with specific items like net-books and paperbacks, to check if they will
fit in the pockets before they buy the coat or jacket."

Personal finance guru Martin Lewis points out on his Money
Saving Expert website that each stowed bag on budget airlines costs between
GBP10 and GBP40 return on top of the price of the ticket, but in most cases,
passengers get a free 10kg hand luggage allowance. He encourages people to
make the most of allowances by ensuring "… you're wearing your heaviest
clothes, are multi-layered and your coat pockets are jammed with heavy items
like books."

Passengers can pay dearly for going over the luggage
(www.debenhams.com/home-furniture/luggage) weight limits with BMI
charging GBP10 per Kg, Thomson charging up to GBP15 per Kg and Ryanair
charging GBP20 per kg for excess baggage.

About Debenhams:

Debenhams is a leading department stores group, and has a
strong presence in key product categories including women's fashion, with day
dresses, shoes, bikinis, jeans, men's clothing, home ware, make-up, health
and beauty, accessories, perfume, lingerie and children's wear.

Best-selling brands at Debenhams include Fake Bake, St Tropez
tan, Xen-Tan, Chanel, Lancaster, Famous Dave's, Natio, Benefit, Guerlain,
Elemis, bareMinerals, Piz Buin, Tantastic, Estee Lauder and Dior.

    PR Contact:

    Carie Barkhuizen
    Debenhams
    33 Wigmore Street
    London
    W1U 1QX
    +44(0)20-7408-3298
    www.debenhams.com

PR Contact: Carie Barkhuizen, Debenhams, 33 Wigmore Street, London, W1U 1QX, +44(0)20-7408-3298