Mothercare toughs it out
UK like-for-like sales slipped 0.3% in the 11 weeks to March 31.
Group sales for the period rose 4.4 per cent and climbed 5.1 per cent for the year. Total like-for-like sales were up 1.6 per cent for the year to March 31 with Direct in Home sales up 11 per cent in the fourth quarter and up 15 per cent for the year as a whole, the group said in a company statement. International sales for the 11 weeks rose 28 per cent.
Ben Gordon, Chief Executive said ‘Mothercare has delivered a solid fourth quarter and full year sales performance, with sales growth of 5.1% for the year despite a tough trading environment in the second half. UK store like-for-like sales were up 0.8% for the year, and up 1.6% including our Direct business which itself grew by 15.0%
in the year. Our International franchise business continues to grow rapidly with sales up
30.0% for the full year driven by strong like-for-like sales and 62 new store openings.’
