THEY'VE both announced rising profits in recent weeks on the back of better-than-expected Christmas sales. But has Debenhams stolen M&S's crown as our favourite place to shop?

EMMA JONES reports. .

LAYOUT

A TRIP to the Quadrant, home of Debenhams in Swansea takes you directly into a large and glittering cosmetics hall, where glossy perfume houses such as Chanel and Dior sit alongside American premium brands such as Clinique and BeneFit. A massive sign in the window told me there was a 70 per cent Blue Cross sale on, and it was clear from the hustle and bustle that bargain hunters were still out in force.

In my experience, stepping into the store can be a somewhat overwhelming affair, which involves running the cosmetics department gauntlet, with a host of ladies urging you to try the latest fragrance.

But on the day I visited there was a more relaxed air, with staff restocking shelves and customers flocking to a new BeneFit brow bar, which offers everything a girl might need to whip those eyebrows into shape.

As an entrance to a store it contrasts favourably with M&S's branch down the road, where an untidy stack of baskets stand by the doors and a despondent Big Issue seller huddles nearby.

The decor of the stores is, at first, similar. Yet the differences are blatant.

M&S lighting is brilliant yet colour-sapping, hard on the eyes and makes me look washed out.

I don't know what Debenhams is doing differently but its lighting doesn't hurt your eyes, nor does it return a horrifying mirror image of your face.

I also like the fact that in Debenhams, the layout is considerably easier to navigate.

Both stores have useful overhead signs pointing to various departments but Debenhams has a grid-like layout and high ceilings which makes finding what you're looking for easier than M&S, where I have often found myself wandering around in circles having lost my bearings and almost my will to shop.

Also, in Debenhams, you can choose stairs, a lift or centrally-located escalators, unlike Marks & Spencer where the escalators may take you up, but you are expected to walk down or use a lift which is a little hidden away. That's fine for me — I'm in good health — but not everyone is.

M&S: 3/5

Debenhams: 5/5

FASHION

I HEAD for the ladies' fashion at Debenhams, which is located next to the beauty section, as it is in most stores across the country.

The company has also been attracting customers through its Designers at Debenhams range, where well-known names such as Ted Baker, Jasper Conran and John Rocha design clothes, shoes and even house and kitchenware specifically for the group.

There are 23 mostly run-of-the mill brands including Maine, Jacques Vert, Eastex and Pineapple.

I snap up a pretty royal blue wraparound dress from Wallis, reduced from £30 to £10. The changing rooms are small and slightly scruffy, with scuff marks on the walls and a missing corner shelf, but at least the lighting is flattering, unlike M&S's bleak white light blasted from overhead which magnifies dark circles and cellulite.

To be fair, in M&S I was impressed with the variety of women's clothing on offer compared to the last time I visited. I noticed a denim range called Indigo which looked young and Topshop-inspired offering six different cuts of jeans and hippyish casual shirts and tops.

The swimwear has arrived and a striking pink all-in-one with some flattering frilly bits for £29.50 catches my eye.

But it isn't long before I'm drawn to my favourite part of the store — Per Una — a simple, feminine range for those who are none too keen on the unforgiving terracotta knitwear and ruffles featured elsewhere.

I fall in love with a stunning woollen knee-length teal cardigan for £59.50 and resolve to come back with my Nan (a former M&S employee) and her discount card.

The first floor is home to shoes (with patent quite-high heels all the rage), lingerie and childrenswear.

I picked up a cute pair of Thomas the Tank wellies for £10 and hurried on to the third floor to escape the throngs of shoppers, who left a trail of discarded shoes and socks in their wake.

M&S: 4.5/5

Debenhams: 4/5

HOMEWARE

THE first floor of M&S was where I found homeware, which was fairly limited with few opportunities to see and try out the furniture (apart from one double bed with a brass frame). There were plenty of kitsch floral oven gloves, cookie jars and tea towels but I couldn't help thinking M&S had merely dipped its toe into this section and was fearful of diving in headfirst.

It used to be here — but it has all, disappeared down the road to the company's branch at Parc Trostre. A great pity and a big loss.

It meant what was on offer paled in comparison with the choice at Debenhams. There was 25 per cent off Denby crockery sets, 20 per cent of Le Creuset items and big reductions on dining tables (I spotted a solid-looking oak veneered table reduced from 449 to 299).

M&S: 3/5

Debenhams: 4/5

FLOOD

BOTH M&S and Debenhams have instore cafes for a pitstop. Cafe Revive at M&S sits on the second floor and offers the usual department store cafe fare, from lasagne to sandwiches and rolls.

I opted for a chunky cheese and ham toastie and joined a queue of more than 10 people, reaching the till in around 10 minutes.

This seemed like a long time to wait for a snack, although I was told there was a problem with one of the ovens and staff apologised.

Style Cafe is the place to take a break at Debenhams and it offers a wider range of hot meals, including a half roast chicken dish for £4.99. I ordered a small mocha (£1.90) and picked up a tempting slice of chocolate fudge cake (£2.45). The coffee was fine, although there was so much whipped cream on top, it frothed over the side of the cup, but the cake was a bit dry which was a bit of a disappointment. The cafe had a more relaxed atmosphere, with tables and chairs and a separate lounge area with comfy sofas.

I noticed one man who had relaxed a bit too much, however — he'd fallen asleep in a chair!

M&S: 3.5/5

Debenhams: 4/5

CUSTOMER SERVICE

DECIDING which store offered the best customer service was a tough call. In M&S, I was greeted by a sales assistant with a very welcoming and cheery "are you okay there?" and another member of staff helped me out when I couldn't find a pair of trousers in the right length. Sadly, they didn't have them in my size but she directed me upstairs, where I could order them.

In Debenhams, I browsed the coffee machines on offer before asking a young man for some help. He was dealing with a couple of inquiries, so I had to wait a few moments but he seemed to know his stuff and recommended a filter coffee maker.

M&S: 4.5/5

Debenhams: 3/5

CONCLUSION

HALF the British public shops at Debenhams and the company has more than 150 stores, attracting more than 26 million customers a year.

The past six years have been turbulent, however, with shares falling as low a 23p a year ago.

But fears for its future proved misplaced and under chief executive Rob Templeman, the company sorted out its finances and increasing the amount of goods sourced and sold directly.

M&S is good for a quick hit — a place to dash in and out, and if you strike lucky you might find something great.

It remains a pleasant enough experience and its food is as good as ever. Its lack of a serious homewear department is a big minus, but on the plus side its clothes are on the up and I was surprised by how much was on offer for my age group. Debenhams though, is more of a destination.

There is something for everyone and I was seriously tempted in most of its departments.