Debenhams is to more than double its international sales over the next four years.

The department store group will focus on India and Russia to propel overseas sales to£600 million, up from the£280 million sales targeted for this financial year to August.

Debenhams, which has 43 international stores operated by franchise partners, wants to have 90 stores by 2012, according to international director Francis McAuley.

Territories including Russia, India, Greece, Poland and the Baltics are to form the focus for Debenhams' immediate global growth, with mainland China, Pakistan, Brazil and Canada a focus in the long term.

McAuley said Debenhams could have 30 stores in India in 10 years. It opened its first store in the country in October last year.

Debenhams is also understood to be in negotiations with a potential partner to open stores in Russia, beginning with its launch in the country in September next year.