Arcadia’s would-be bidders have been given glimpses of its trademark decline and its failure to catch the wave online. Officials indicated that they are Open to the dissolution of Sir Philip’s empire, Since some parts are in worse condition than others.

Previously undisclosed financial data shows that in the year ending September 2019, Arcadia Group’s sales decline accelerated to £ 200 million, bringing it to an annual turnover of £ 1.6 billion.

Prospective bidders were told that three of its eight brands – Evans, Miss Selfridge and Outfit – were contributing losses to major street operations, even before fixed costs like rent drove them red.

Among Arcadia’s strongest chains, City Sources consider Topshop the most attractive to bidders such as Authentic Brands.

Its sales last year totaled £ 651m, of which just £ 120m was sold online, as rival fast fashion retailers such as Boohoo and Asos thrive. Both have been speculated as a potential bidder for Topshop, which has an estimated value of approximately £ 200 million.

Overall, only 19% of Arcadia’s sales are made online, and the numbers show that the Debenhams website makes a significant contribution, particularly for Wallis and Dorothy Perkins.

Despite Arcadia’s slow digital progress, its online sales are much more profitable than its flagship stores. Figures offering potential bidders an alternative to operating profit show total brick-and-mortar margins of just 4.7%, compared to 20% online.

Deloitte last week asked suppliers to Arcadia to agree to an 80% off inventory on the way to stores. In a message he sees The Telegraph She wrote: “The companies in the department have legal ownership of all the shares released from your factory and are therefore not legally obligated to pay any shares in this category.”

Authentic Brands didn’t respond to a request for comment.