Debenhams expands into Pakistan

British department store Debenhams has opened its first store in Pakistan as part of the

 company’s international business expansion plan.

The store located in Dolmen Mall in Karachi uses the same branding as the UK and sells the same merchandise has opened in a franchise partnership with Team A Ventures, a local company that represents other British stores in the country including Mothercare, Next, Monsoon and Accessorize.

If a success, the retailer has reported that it will look to expand into other Pakistani cities, such as Lahore and Islamabad, if the opportunity to lease store sites arises.

Lucy Haine, senior business manager at Debenhams International, told The National on Sunday: "There’s a highly affluent middle class which is growing in Pakistan, and we have also got a strong franchise partner."

Adnan Hamid, the general manager of Debenhams in Pakistan added: "The fashion market has been expanding for the last four to five years and there are strong local brands in the market.

"There are so many people travelling from Pakistan to the UK. There are people coming into the store saying, 'We used to go to the UK or Dubai to shop in Debenhams'."