Wallis
Boohoo Group (trading as Debenhams Group) · United Kingdom
Wallis is a British womenswear brand that Arcadia Group acquired in July 1999 from the former Sears plc. Boohoo bought it out of administration on 8 February 2021.
| Origin | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Owner | Boohoo Group (trading as Debenhams Group), since February 2021 |
| Acquired | 8 February 2021, from Arcadia Group administration |
| Segment | Mass market and fast fashion |
What is Wallis?
Wallis is a British womenswear brand. Arcadia Group acquired it in July 1999 as part of the womenswear businesses of the defunct Sears plc. Reference sources give no founding year or founder, so none is stated here.
Collapse of Arcadia and sale to Boohoo
The Arcadia Group entered administration on 30 November 2020, putting 13,000 jobs at risk. On 8 February 2021 Boohoo bought the brand out of administration. The Burton, Dorothy Perkins and Wallis deal was worth £25.2 million and excluded the brands' 214 stores, concessions and franchises, putting about 2,450 jobs at risk.
Ownership today
Boohoo Group trades as Debenhams Group, a name adopted in March 2025, although its legal name remains Boohoo Group because Frasers Group voted against a legal name change. Reference sources list Dan Finley as chief executive. They do not say whether the brand has been sold or reorganised since 2021, so its current ownership should be confirmed before relying on this profile.
Business model and distribution
The 2021 deal bought the brand rather than the store estate, so the business moved to an online model under its new owner. The sources used do not give further detail on current channels or sales figures, which are therefore not stated.
Why it matters
Wallis is one of several former Arcadia high street names that moved to a digital owner after 2020. Its story illustrates how long-established British retail brands have outlived the store estates that once supported them.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Wallis?
Wallis was bought by Boohoo in February 2021 after the Arcadia Group collapsed. Boohoo Group now trades as Debenhams Group; check recent announcements for any later changes.
Who owned Wallis before Boohoo?
Arcadia Group acquired Wallis in July 1999 as part of the womenswear businesses of Sears plc and owned it until its 2020 administration.