Red Herring buyer Claire Christie, merchandiser Mary Lucas and designer Claire Caines are set to join the value retailer next month.
The changes will help Matalan forge ahead with plans to take on the supermarkets with a more fashion-focused strategy.
The team will oversee the development of Matalan own-labels such as premium range Et Vous and mature label Soon, as well as the introduction of new ones. They will be based at Matalan’s Regent Street buying office, which opened after the Lancashire-based retailer conceded it needed an office in London to enhance its fashion credentials.
Last month, the retailer opened branded sportswear shop-in-shops to push growing sales of its own-label sports range.
The departures will be a blow to Debenhams, whose Red Herring brand is a key driver of sales. Womenswear accounts for a third of Debenhams’ business and, within womenswear, 20 per cent of sales are generated by own-label.
Last month, Debenhams chief executive Rob Templeman said the retailer would concentrate on pushing its own-label and Designers at Debenhams ranges to ride out the tough trading climate. That month, it also launched its Red Herring occasionwear sub-brand Special Edition.
Shore Capital analyst John Stevenson said: “In terms of positioning, Red Herring is the most successful own-label at Debenhams and the one area they are adding space to. It is their regular footfall driver.”
The retailer is understood to have already appointed replacements at Red Herring, but Stevenson said the impact of fresh blood could take 18 months to filter through.
Debenhams, which original investor Merrill Lynch Private Equity sold its 6 per cent stake in last month, will announce its interim results on Tuesday. The retailer has been the subject of continuous stakebuilding by both Baugur and Landmark Group boss Micky Jagtiani. Separately, Debenhams held secret talks about a potential bid for Moss Bros, but discussions have now been suspended.
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