Debenhams - final score: 18/40

Address: 334-348 Oxford Street

Map: Click here to find this store

Score last year: 20

Verdict: Too much hit or miss product makes Debenhams a disparate muddle, with a real need for re-editing

Looks - 4

The Designers at Debenhams ranges look disappointingly tired and unfocused this season, making it difficult to see the connection between the beautiful pieces these designers show on the catwalk and what they are churning out here.

The key trends are just about covered, but mainly due to there being so much product in which to get it right.

Dip dye dresses and ruffle fronted blouses are found at John Rocha, with a tribal cotton shirt dress at John Richmond and a sheer floral tea dress at J by Jasper Conran. 

Mix - 5

It is difficult to judge the product mix here as there are so many disparate collections, but overall dresses are a strong focus for the Designers.

The rather directionless Red Herring offering vacillates between short ruffled slip dresses and preppy Americana looks distinctly suited to a teen market to more much demure monochrome print knee-length skirts.

There is even a maternity section, which seems oddly placed next to product that appears designed for a primarily teenage market. There are some smock tops and basics in the Designers collections too, but these aren't as inspiring as you would hope.  

Store - 4

The first floor of Debenhams was having a store refit when Drapers visited so the smell of sawdust was a little offputting.

There is some strange sectioning going on, with John Rocha's Sale product on the other side of the floor to the rest of his collection, and Jasper Conran's collection split between the first and second floors.

The comprehensive and well-laid-out lingerie area is somewhat ruined by huge red Sale posters above everything. The changing rooms leave something to be desired, with assistants talking among themselves rather than addressing customers, and stained couches in the changing area unacceptable.  

Value - 5

There is simply not enough innovation in Debenhams' product to warrant some of the prices it charges.

A Betty Jackson Black grey pintuck bibbed cotton shirt dress is £50, twice the price of an all-but identical item in New Look, and a viscose tribal print V-neck jersey dress by Jasper Conran doesn't justify £60.

Maine New England is a saving grace with striped polos a much better proposition at £16. Debut also gives better value for money with a tiered pink strapless dress with scrawled flower print looking fresh enough to warrant £80 for a special occasion. 

Vox pop: Emma Harrison, 21, student at Durham University

• Are you a regular shopper here? 
I don't shop here regularly. I'm looking for a suit for my graduation.  

• What does this shop mean to you?
It's not where I would choose to shop. The clothes are a little bit behind current trends.

• How impressed are you with this season's offerings?  
I haven't seen anything I like, and I haven't found a suit.

• What is it they're doing well?
Some of the formal dresses are OK.

• What have they missed out that you would have liked to have seen? 
I think Debenhams needs a younger, trendier image. The Red Herring collection can be good; the rest of the womenswear should move in that direction. And I think it needs to improve its workwear, as there are no nice suits.