The headline blames Covid-19 but its been teetering on the edge for ages.
Debenhams will file for administration after the coronavirus lockdown forced it to shut its shops across the UK.
It described the process as a "light touch" administration to protect it from legal action from creditors while its department stores are closed.
Debenhams boss Stefaan Vansteenkiste said the circumstances of the decision were "unprecedented".
"We have taken this step to protect our business, our employees, and other important stakeholders," he said.
Mr Vansteenkiste said it will allow Debenhams "to resume trading from our stores when government restrictions are lifted".
However, he did not say how many of its 142 shops would reopen after the lockdown.
"We are striving to protect jobs and reopen as many Debenhams stores for trading as we can, as soon as this is possible," he said.
It will be the second time in a year that Debenhams has filed for administration. It has already closed 22 stores this year and plans to shut a further 28 in 2021.
The retailer said it is still trading online "normally" while its shops are closed.
It has furloughed the majority of its staff who are being paid under the government's coronavirus job retention scheme which pays 80% of a worker's salary up to £2,500 a month.
'Final straw'
Meanwhile, with all non-essential shops closed, some retailers, such as Primark, have opted to cancel orders with their suppliers.
Fashion chain New Look recently informed its suppliers that payment for stock already sitting in its shops or distribution centre would be delayed "indefinitely".
Independent retail expert Clare Bailey said retailers had already been under strain for the last two or three years because of the uncertainty surrounding Brexit and its effect on consumer confidence.
"[Coronavirus] was the final straw of all the straws that broke the camel's already very broken back," she said.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52182199
Debenhams will file for administration after the coronavirus lockdown forced it to shut its shops across the UK.
It described the process as a "light touch" administration to protect it from legal action from creditors while its department stores are closed.
Debenhams boss Stefaan Vansteenkiste said the circumstances of the decision were "unprecedented".
"We have taken this step to protect our business, our employees, and other important stakeholders," he said.
Mr Vansteenkiste said it will allow Debenhams "to resume trading from our stores when government restrictions are lifted".
However, he did not say how many of its 142 shops would reopen after the lockdown.
"We are striving to protect jobs and reopen as many Debenhams stores for trading as we can, as soon as this is possible," he said.
It will be the second time in a year that Debenhams has filed for administration. It has already closed 22 stores this year and plans to shut a further 28 in 2021.
The retailer said it is still trading online "normally" while its shops are closed.
It has furloughed the majority of its staff who are being paid under the government's coronavirus job retention scheme which pays 80% of a worker's salary up to £2,500 a month.
'Final straw'
Meanwhile, with all non-essential shops closed, some retailers, such as Primark, have opted to cancel orders with their suppliers.
Fashion chain New Look recently informed its suppliers that payment for stock already sitting in its shops or distribution centre would be delayed "indefinitely".
Independent retail expert Clare Bailey said retailers had already been under strain for the last two or three years because of the uncertainty surrounding Brexit and its effect on consumer confidence.
"[Coronavirus] was the final straw of all the straws that broke the camel's already very broken back," she said.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52182199
