Mamas & Papas is considering launching standalone fashion stores, as it renews its interest in UK openings.

Marek Laskowski, who was promoted to managing director last month, said: “In the next 12 months, we will be opening new stores, including superstores, but also looking at different types of stores and sizes. We can potentially do a [maternitywear] fashion store on a smaller site.”

The retailer delivered a 40 per cent rise in maternitywear sales last year, partly driven by its Emma Bunton campaign. Laskowski said it will exceed that rise this year.

Mamas & Papas will open its first UK store in more than a year with a 10,000 sq ft outlet at Nottingham’s Giltbrook Retail Park in September.

This month, the retailer opened two stores in Dubai with its franchise partner Al Tayer, bringing its total to seven in the Middle East.

Laskowski said it is considering new markets over the next 12 months. “We know our formula works well abroad now. Western Europe and Australia are the only places outside of the franchise map and we see everywhere else as a potential.”

Total sales, including wholesale, fell 3 per cent to£83.4 million and its pre-tax profits more than halved to£1.4 million for the year to April 1, 2007.