First, this is not a Sears story even though the company is involved. No, this is a story about a British department store chain looking for a way to enter the U.S. and succeed where so many others have struggled and failed.
Debenhams, which operates over 150 stores in the U.K. and Ireland, is looking to the American market and The Telegraph reports the chain is in early negotiations to open stores inside Sears across the country.
Sears is not new to other retailers occupying space in its stores. Forever 21 signed a deal last year to take about 15 percent of the floor space at a Sears in Costa Mesa, CA. Other chains that have grabbed up Sears' space include Edwin Watts Golf Shops, Whole Foods and Work 'N Gear. Sears has also created space within stores for sister company Lands' End.
According to The Telegraph, Debenhams currently has "60 franchised stores around the world" and is looking to add 40 more beyond the U.K. and Ireland.
Sears currently operates more than 2,700 Sears-branded and affiliated stores in the U.S. and Canada, according to the Sears Holdings website.