Mothercare revealed group underlying profit before tax soared 94 per cent to £9.5 million in the 28 weeks to October 11 and said it is well placed to trade through the economic turmoil.
UK like-for-like sales at the maternity and baby retailer rose 0.8 per cent, while comparable store sales in its international business climbed 9 per cent.
Group sales at the retailer increased 9.3 per cent to£359 million.
The retailer, which operates the Mothercare and Early Learning Centre brands, achieved a 10 basis point improvement in its UK gross margin.
Its international business delivered its best half to date, with profit rocketing 59.1 per cent to£7 million. Eastern Europe achieved “rapid like-for-like growth”, particularly in Russia, where Mothercare plans to open another 40 stores in the next three years.
Mothercare plans to open stores in the Middle East, including another 20 in Saudi Arabia, to add to its existing 84.
It operates 21 stores in India and plans to open a further 100 stores in the next three years, as well as another 10 in China.
Sales in the Direct business jumped 25.4 per cent to£50.4 million.
Mothercare chief executive Ben Gordon said: “We are pleased to announce strong first-half results for the Mothercare group. Our international business has delivered its best ever half and, despite a challenging market, we have grown like-for-like sales in the UK, with Direct performing particularly well.
“The Mothercare group has undergone a transformation in recent years and we now have 983 stores operating in 50 countries. Growth will continue to be driven by our successful international business, the synergy benefits from the acquisition of the Early Learning Centre, the reshaping of our UK property portfolio and strong momentum in our Direct operations.
“With our rapidly growing international platform, a reducing UK cost base and a cash generative and debt free business, we are well placed for what is an uncertain consumer environment in the second half.”
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