2 October 2014
Sports Direct International plc
Acquisition of a further 4.6% stake in Debenhams plc
Sports Direct International plc ("Sports Direct"), the UK's leading sports retailer, announces that it has today acquired a further 4.60 per cent stake in Debenhams plc ("Debenhams") (comprising 56,381,164 ordinary shares in Debenhams).
Sports Direct is making this announcement pursuant to Listing Rule 10.2.10(1)(b) which requires the aggregation of the value of these shares (approximately £33 million) with Sports Direct's maximum exposure of approximately £64 million under the Put Option over a 6.62 per cent stake in Debenhams that was announced on 16 January 2014. Collectively, these investments represent an 11.22 per cent interest in Debenhams ordinary shares.
As previously announced, Sports Direct is already working together with Debenhams and looks forward to building this relationship.
For further information, please contact:
Sports Direct International plc 0845 129 9229
Dave Forsey - Chief Executive
Jeff Blue - Director, Strategic Development
Powerscourt 020 7250 1446
Rory Godson
Victoria Palmer-Moore
Greg Lawless
Notes to Editors
Sports Direct is the UK's leading sports retailer by revenue and operating profit, with approximately 400 stores across the UK. The Group provides an unrivalled range of products, offering exceptional quality and unbeatable value, from a wide variety of third-party and Group-owned brands, both in-store and online. Sports Direct operates in 19 countries in Europe, including Belgium, Austria, Slovenia, Portugal and France.
The Group has an extensive brand portfolio, comprising 28 internationally recognised sports, fashion and lifestyle brands including Dunlop, Slazenger, Everlast, Lonsdale and Karrimor.
Sports Direct was founded in 1982, listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2007 and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index.
For more information please visit www.sportsdirectplc.com