However, Shore Capital retail analyst Greg Lawless warned that an online-only operation could hit Debenhams’ beauty sales. He said: “The big question in beauty is whether the big beauty brands – Clinique and Channel – will remain with Boohoo longer term. “The Debenhams number one position in premium beauty was predicated on counter sales, which will not form part of this acquisition.” In hints that it intends to take on the might of Amazon, Boohoo said it would create the UK’s largest marketplace across fashion, beauty, sport and homeware – expanding the range of products sold via Debenhams marketplace by maintaining current third-party relationships and expanding further.