13 Jan 2014 07:00
13 January 2014
Sports Direct International plc
Acquisition of a 4.63% stake in Debenhams plc
Sports Direct International plc ("Sports Direct" or "the Group"), the UK's leading sports retailer, announces that it has acquired a stake in Debenhams plc ("Debenhams"). Sports Direct has acquired 56.8 million shares, representing 4.63 per. cent of the issued share capital of Debenhams.
Sports Direct wishes to explore options at an operational level to work together with Debenhams to create value in the interests of both Sports Direct's and Debenhams' shareholders. This acquisition of shares has taken place without the prior knowledge of the Debenhams board of directors, but Sports Direct has communicated to Debenhams' board its desire to work together and its intention to be a supportive shareholder.
For further information, please contact:
Sports Direct International plc 0845 129 9229
Dave Forsey - Chief Executive
Jeff Blue - Director, Strategic Development
Powerscourt 020 7250 1446
Rory Godson
Victoria Palmer-Moore
Greg Lawless
Notes to Editors
Sports Direct is the UK's leading sports retailer by revenue and operating profit, with approximately 400 stores across the UK. The Group provides an unrivalled range of products, offering exceptional quality and unbeatable value, from a wide variety of third-party and Group-owned brands, both in-store and online. Sports Direct operates in 19 countries in Europe, including Belgium, Austria, Slovenia, Portugal and France.
The Group has an extensive brand portfolio, comprising 28 internationally recognised sports, fashion and lifestyle brands including Dunlop, Slazenger, Everlast, Lonsdale and Karrimor.
Sports Direct was founded in 1982, listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2007 and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index.
For more information please visit www.sportsdirectplc.com