UK department store chain Debenhams said it remained on track to deliver full year results in line with market expectations despite seeing no underlying sales growth over its third quarter.
The second biggest department stores chain in the UK behind John Lewis said that sales at stores open over a year were flat over the 15 weeks to June 13.
This compared to analysts' third quarter forecasts of down 2% to up 0.5%.
The performance followed first half growth of 1.3%, which was enhanced by 1%t from the shift of a key sale period from the third to the second quarter.
The firm said gross margin guidance for the 2014-15 year was unchanged and it was on track to achieve pretax profit expectations of £111m compared to £110m made in the previous year.
Debenhams is cutting back promotions, strengthening online ordering and delivery options, and adding concessions in under-used store space to secure higher returns, improve choice and increase shopper numbers.
The company has agreed concession trials with new partners including Patisserie Valerie, Chi Kitchen and BHS lighting, to add to deals already done with Sports Direct, Costa Coffee, Monsoon and Jack & Jones.
The group, which currently trades from over 240 stores across 27 countries, said it was on track to open five more stores in Britain this autumn.
