Marks and Spencer (LON:MKS) is to overhaul its clothing management team after sales tumbled in the first quarter.
Kate Bostock, head of general merchandising (non-food), has stepped down to “pursue other interests.”
John Dixon, the current executive director of food, will step into Bostock’s shoes from October. He will be replaced by Steve Rowe, the current director of retail.
Marc Bolland, M&S’s chief executive said: “General Merchandise underperformed in a difficult trading season. We are confident we are taking the necessary steps to address this.”
M&S saw group sales fall by 0.7 per cent in the three months to end June, its worst quarterly performance for over three years.
Like-for-like sales of non-clothing in the UK were down 6.8 per cent in the 13 weeks, while food was up 0.6 per cent on the same quarter last year.
M&S said sales of casual tops had been particularly affected by poor weather conditions - June was one of the wettest since records began.
The retailer had already flagged up problems with merchandising in its womenswear department, which included a shortage of best-selling items, in the last financial year.
The performance is likely to heap more pressure on Bolland, who faces shareholders at today’s AGM having already come under fire for his bonus package.
As part of its management overhaul, the firm also created two new roles.
A new post of style director will be taken on by former chief executive of competitor Debenhams, Belinda Earl, from September.
A new role of corporate director of strategy implementation and business development has been created to develop new concepts across the company. Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne has been appointed and will report directly to Bolland.
The share price is up 1.2 per cent to 324.8 pence.