Member Info for KNIGELK

Sorry.. you actually said that they hadn't engaged with central government. Not sure one retailer on their own will have much success tbh. Perhaps the retail council or if a number of large retailers were to arrange a meeting or write a letter in the media it will have more impact? Debenhams s/b engaging on multiple fronts although perhaps being so close to Christmas they have other priorities like trading though this season as this is the time most profit is made..

There's no need to be rude - unless you work in retail - or property - or are directly involved in discussions with x company (so you need to be careful not to post market sensitive info on here) - then the majority of posters here will be simply investors who believe Debenhams is a buy or sell based on the current share price.
Indeed there has been good rational debate on the thread for months and I don't actually think any thick people post on here - just perhaps not fully aware of the full picture. Your last post suggests you work for local government - well since Debenhams has 150 stores then that is 150 separate councils they will need to speak to - perhaps they have spoken to a few? As far as talking to the landlords - Debenhams should start by stating which stores will be closing - so talks on exiting are required - and which stores why wish to continue trading in - so they should initially tell the landlord(s) what they feel they can reasonably afford to pay going forward and start the ball rolling from there imho

Actually been in the same job for over 30 years - day off - also been on LSE for seven years and active posting will result in quite a few posts - and to be fair to you - we all start from 0 on LSE and join at different times - I was the new poster once.
I also agree that I am no expert in commercial property - obviously - and you have cycles in market valuation of property as retail has cycles in trading - retail is having a bad period while I presume commercial property is still doing ok (indeed I have 40% of my SIPP in property).
Sometimes I think too many posts are on the posters and not on the company so I am happy to hear your views and if Debenhams is not talking then I would like to know why - perhaps an question for the AGM?

Maybe they are not engaging because they have already decided the stores that they will close - or perhaps they are preparing to talk - who knows. Maybe the councils are not communicating or the shopping centres etc.

Also my expert field is pensions - although I have a connection with Debs from years ago. I just hope they pull though but agree its not guaranteed. Landlords can either dig their heels in .. or help .. of course no one expects landlords to compromise too much as income is required for pension property unit trusts etc!

Two points - I am always wary of a new poster who appears out of nowhere and posts just on the one thread... so you are a landlord of Debenhams? Great - we need to debate this. I have voted Tory all my life btw but probably have moved more to the centre as I have got older. Second point - what have you invested in the company? Do you mean investing in the stores to bring them up to date? Maybe I am a bit think but doesn't a landlord just agree a rental term - the client signs it - then you get the rent for a fixed period? So what do you actually invest again?
What do you think Debenhams can offer in return? Well? Think about it! The company profits are falling - sales are moving online - they need to close some stores - so do the landlord just hope they continue trading and they keep getting the rent OR do they start to open talks on freezing the rent or allowing Debenhams to sub let parts of the store? You're the expert - so let me know what you think Debenhams can offer!

Last point - why on earth did the chancellor just provide business rate relief to smaller retailers - although a good move - Debenhams size stores need urgent help too! There HAS to be action on business rates for all retailers next year and kick in the digital tax asap

I don't think many will feel sorry for the landlords - the prior management were daft enough to tie the company into long leases with ever increasing rent year on year. The market has changed - both parties should realise this and talk!! Either freeze the rent or limit the annual increase. At the end of the day the landlord will still have the property and still be able to either try to find an alternative retailer (good luck) or change the use of the site to flats or offices. Landlords are almost certain NOT to lose out whatever the outcome. BTW Debenhams have decided to dispose of up to 50 stores over the next five years - not overnight - they have "time" to negotiate sensible exits - indeed there are a fair number of sites were the lease is up within the next five years already! Its a tough position - but not impossible to get out of - and remember, they are not the only retailer in dire straits - so landlords should wake up and smell the coffee before there are no high streets left!

Bencox - he got six tick ups - for being wrong! However, news is definitely due.. what happen to exercising the RAP warrants?

Thanks for your answer - well I don't think we can blame the company completely for what has been happening in Argentina - few companies would have done well during the chaos over there - and at least they have tried elsewhere - the high growth market of India. Fair salary? Probably £80k tbh - he is CEO after all

treaty - I am not sure what you mean by "click on". TBH I can think of a number of reasons to buy the shares (still profit making - low share price - t/o talk - recovery) and a number of reasons to avoid (rent/debt issue - short attack - dire retail environment).. so cannot make up my mind lol. I just hope Debenhams pulls through and I don't think "hate" is too strong a word for what I think of some of the shorters who actually want this company to fail just to prove a point and make a bit of cash. Never mind the 30000 employees etc

Also I can't understand why Debenhams is one of just three retailers the shorters are targeting? IF (and it is a if) there is no deal and a bad reaction to Brexit next year - ALL retailers will be effected including food - ALL engineering/medical/construction companies that deal with Europe will be effected - also Debenhams is still making a profit as far as we know - still has debt headroom - of course the retail environment is tough with no end in sight but .. why "just" Debenhams for shorting? Its at an all time sp low already!

Maybe it's because interest rates are likely to rise over the next few years so 1% rise is equal to £330 million other extra interest. To be fair I recall reading that the combined debt of the ftse100 companies has doubled over the last ten years. Pension scheme demand for corporate debt a key reason but it cannot go on indefinitely imho

Some FTSE 100 companies have made massive losses yet the directors are paid £1 million plus. This is not a MOS specific issue although agree the size of the company does not justify such a salary. What would be a fair salary? £100k?

Maybe because (looking on the bright side) they don't need to raise cash now and perhaps - just perhaps - there will be seeds of progress in the first quarter of 2019 - and also perhaps a loan note or alternative methods of funding will be found. TBH I am not adding but cannot be bothered to sell (perhaps a tad stubborn) either ... if not in - then understand why it may be safer to just watch for now gl

..sorry s/b the results are not great!

Don't be. The results are great but I look for the positives. Cash £1 million end of June. Now £700k. So £70k per month leaving ten months to raise funds. Revenue and margins up in India and new partnership due to kick in soon. Partner company.has transformed the Indian market. Agree salary too high and best to get out of Argentina. Still a slim hope imho but another £1m fund raise likely Q1

Remember this ha0en with CAKE recently. Corporate governance and auditing needs tightening up to prevent this happening elsewhere

Need to digest but a mixture of positives and negatives. Another fund raise due within twelve months as expected. Let's hope 2019 is better!

Why is the share price low? Well because the shorts have not closed .. the rental costs still need a conclusion and pre Christmas trading is mixed.. no guarantee MA will bid either - depends on how successful he is with HoF imho. However, as I said earlier - the CEO buy is a good sign