Debenhams, a British retail company, has sold the women’s fashion brand Nasty Gal for $16 million (£11.9 million) as part of its ongoing efforts to improve its financial situation and return to profitability. The sale was completed to WSG Brands, a U.S.-based company that specializes in acquiring and managing brands with growth potential. Nasty Gal was originally bought by Debenhams’ parent company, Boohoo Group, nearly ten years ago for $20 million (£14.8 million). At the time, the brand had recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S., a legal process that allows companies to reorganize their debts while continuing to operate. Nasty Gal was founded by Sophia Amoruso, an American entrepreneur whose story was told in the bestselling book Girlboss, later adapted into a Netflix series. The brand had once experienced rapid growth but saw a decline in recent years. Debenhams described the sale of Nasty Gal as a disposal of a “non-core” asset, meaning it is not central to the company’s main operations. This move follows another significant sale: Debenhams recently sold its Sheffield warehouse to Primark for £90 million, which will be used to support home delivery services. Debenhams has been working to turn around its business after posting a pre-tax loss of £108 million in the last financial year. This represents an improvement from the £326 million loss recorded the previous year. The company operates several brands, including Boohoo, Pretty Little Thing, and sub-brands such as Karen Millen, Oasis, Warehouse, and Dorothy Perkins. CEO Dan Frinley stated that the company’s turnaround is “continuing at pace” and that the sale of Nasty Gal aligns with its strategy to strengthen its financial position. WSG Brands, the new owner of Nasty Gal, describes itself as a company focused on acquiring and managing “culturally relevant” brands with growth potential. The firm already owns the U.S. fashion brand Von Dutch. The acquisition of Nasty Gal is part of WSG Brands’ strategy to expand its portfolio and capitalize on opportunities in the evolving fashion market.