Debenhams womenswear trading director Pam Bartley steps down

Sara Stern, childrenswear and health and beauty director will assume responsibility for womenswear. She will take up the additional responsibility on September 1.

During her time at Debenhams, Bartley held a number of roles including divisional trading director for accessories and director of buying for womenswear.

Debenhams said Bartley was leaving to pursue new opportunities.

In its latest trading update for the 15 weeks to June 13 Debenhams reported flat like-for-like sales. Debenhams blamed a change in its promotional strategy for the flat sales.

Debenhams spent three days less on promotion in the 15 weeks compared with the same period the year before as the retailer continues to press ahead with a strategy to increase full-price sales. The performance was ahead of analyst expectations, who had forecast a decline of 1%.

Debenhams has made a number of changes to its stores in the past year, introducing brands such as Sports Direct, Monsoon, Mothercare and Jack & Jones.