Internet growth boosts Mothercare sales

Online sales have helped boost like-for-like sales at Mothercare

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Online sales helped boost like-for-like sales at Mothercare in the UK by 3.4% for the 13 weeks to January 11.

Like-for-like store sales rose 2.5% over the period, with mail order sales at Mothercare up 201.6% over the period.

Group like-for-likes, which including the company's international business, were 3.4% ahead for the period. 

Group like-for-likes for the year to date are up 4.3%, with total sales up 35.5%. The figures include sales at the Early Learning Centre for the 29 weeks since Mothercare acquired the chain.

Mothercare chief executive Ben Gordon said: "This is a strong performance for the newly enlarged Mothercare group over the Christmas trading period. The group is benefiting form our strategy of position Mothercare as the leading specialist brand for parents and around the world. This is now strengthened by the Early Learning Centre, the integration of which is progressing well."

"In the UK, positive store sales growth was boosted by the strong online business, and the International business continues to grow rapidly. While there remains a degree of caution about the UK consumer environment, we expect profits for the full financial year to be near the top end of analysts expectations."

Some 66 overseas franchise stores opened during the financial year giving a total of 483 stores in 48 countries.