Debenhams in hunt for Russian franchise deal

Department store group Debenhams is looking for a franchise partner in Russia.

Debenhams international new business manager Sarah Jackson said the retailer had held meetings in Moscow and looked at Megamall 2, which opens in December.

Jackson said Debenhams' preferred international expansion strategy is to work hand in hand with partners such as Haggar, which it teamed up with to enter Denmark earlier this year. It is also looking closely at emerging European markets.

Debenhams, which was taken private by CVC-backed consortium Baroness Retail last year, already has stores in Malaysia, the Czech Republic and the Middle East.