International growth helped Mothercare’s sales boost sales 24.3 per cent to £328.5 million for the 28 weeks to October 13.

Pre-tax profits fell 13.2 per cent to£10.5 million, but that included£2.9 million of first-half loss at Early Learning Centre, which it acquired in May.

International sales including franchise operations shot up 10 per cent to£442 million, but UK sales rose just 2.5 per cent.

Early Learning Centre like-for-likes were up 1.9 per cent since its acquisition in June, and total like-for-like sales for the Mothercare business grew 2.5 per cent.

Mothercare chief executive Ben Gordon said: “This has been a transformational first half for the group and for Mothercare in particular. Although we remain cautious about the prospect for UK consumer spending, we believe that we are well placed as we enter the second half.”

Including Early Learning Centre outlets Mothercare now has 472 shops in 46 countries worldwide.

Topics