Debenhams plc is a British retailer operating under a department store format in the UK, Ireland and Denmark, and franchise stores in other countries. The company was founded in the eighteenth century as a single store in London and has now grown to approximately 160 locations. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.

As of January 2012, the company operates 167 stores (including 13 'Desire by Debenhams' stores) covering 1.2m sq.m. of retail space across the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. It also has 61 franchise stores operating in other countries, including the Philippines. Debenhams is set to open a 27,000 sq.m. store in Karachi, in April 2012.

In 2008, the company was voted best UK department store by GMTV.

The company introduced 'Designers at Debenhams' in 1993, the revolutionary idea put designer names at high street prices, the creation of Belinda Earle and Spencer Hawken the brands include Jasper Conran, John Rocha, Betty Jackson Black, Butterfly by Matthew Williamson, H! by Henry Holland, Star By Julien Macdonald, Frost French, Erickson Beamon, Eric Van Peterson, Janet Reger, Pip Hackett, Melissa Odabash, Ted Baker, St George by Duffer, Jeff Banks and Ben De Lisi. The company also sells goods under a number of brand names that it owns.

In October 2010, Debenhams announced the launch of four new designer names to its fashion range; Jonathan Saunders, Preen, Jonathan Kelsey and Roksanda Ilincic, who will be working with the retailer on a new concept called Edition.