Debenhams becomes the first Profit Warning of 2018 guiding 8/18 PBT to £55-65m around 20% below consensus at the mid-point. This highlights the operational gearing here with the main financial variance being a 150bps 1H gross margin decline against previous guidance for Full Year gross margin to fall 25bps. This has resulted from tactical promotion to maintain clean stock and weaker than expected start to the Clearance Sale.
