UK-based department store chain Debenhams will open an outlet at Dolmen Mall in Karachi, Pakistan, in April.

The department store, currently under construction, will be spread across 27,000 sqft. Eight of its in-house brands will be featured along with other known brands including John Rocha, Pineapple and Betty Jackson. Products will be sold on a price par with those sold in the UK and other parts of the world.

“This is going to be huge for our market. It seems like an expensive store but we have done our homework and there is an appetite for brands,” said Yasin Paracha, MD of Team A Ventures, the company bringing the franchise to Pakistan.

According to Paracha, shoppers who are patronising brands such Monsoon and Next which are the sold at Debenhams are the potential customers of the soon to open department store.

“A lot of people also shop while they travel to other countries. That is the clientele we specifically want to attract,” Paracha said.

Debenhams at Karachi was supposed to open in 2009, however, lack of space delayed its debut.

GB