UK's Debenhams to hold another pre-Christmas sale

LONDON, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Department stores group Debenhams (DEB.L) said on Tuesday it would hold a second "price cutting bonanza," in a move likely to ignite speculation of a fresh round of heavy discounting on Britain's shopping streets.

Debenhams, the UK's second-biggest department store chain with 147 shops, said it would offer savings of up to 20 percent across its range of products for three days from Dec. 3 to 5.

This follows a similar three day sale from Nov. 19 to 21, which it then extended for a further two days.

Marks & Spencer Plc (MKS.L), Britain's biggest clothing retailer, held a 20-percent off sale on Nov. 20 and newspaper reports have said it is considering another sale day on Dec. 4.

A Marks & Spencer (M&S) spokesman declined to comment.

Britain's retailers have been slashing prices in a bid to attract shoppers who have been curbing spending amid sliding house prices and rising unemployment.

Debenhams said its earlier sales days led to customer numbers increasing by about two thirds.

"We're back by popular demand -- it's as simple as that," Michael Sharp, deputy chief executive said in a statement.

Researchers Experian said on Monday that heavy discounting was not boosting overall shopper numbers. They reported a 0.9 percent fall in footfall in Britain's shops in November, with big discount days providing brief spikes. [ID:nLS587473]

Debenhams said its offers included up to 20 percent off all womenswear and menswear; half price homewares and electricals on selected products, and a further 20 percent off some party dresses, which were already on sale at half price. (Reporting by Mark Potter; Editing by David Holmes)