Debenhams online boss Simon Forster is to exit the department store to join rival Selfridges.

Forster, who has been online trading director at Debenhams for three years, is to join Selfridges as director of multichannel in December.

Forster has helped Debenhams online sales jump 40% in the year to September 1, ahead of wider market growth of 13% according to Kantar Worldpanel.

Debenhams, the winner of multichannel retailer of the year at this year’s Retail Week Awards, has put multichannel at the heart of its growth plan.

It is targeting hitting £500m sales online in the next three years and this month hired Google retail director Peter Fitzgerald to join its board.

The retailer is looking for a replacement for Forster.