Mothercare saw its total UK sales grow slightly in the Christmas trading period, up by 0.6% on the year before.
In a trading update for the 13 weeks to 7 January 2017, the retailer said UK like-for-like sales increased by 1% during the quarter. Online sales grew by 5.5% and now represent 40% of UK sales.
International sales were down 6% in constant currency and up 13% in actual currency. Its Chinese and Russian exposure returned to growth, but it said the Middle East remains challenging.
The group opened 40 stores and closed 28, ending the quarter with 1,351 outlets.
Chief executive Mark Newton-Jones said group performance was in line with expectations.
“The UK returned to growth following the challenging summer trading period. We maintained our focus on product improvement and full price sales while prudent stock management allowed us to enter the end-of-season-sale after peak trading with less stock than last year. Margin remains within our guidance for the full year,” he said.
“We remain firmly focused on our strategy to build our businesses both here in the UK and internationally and our vision remains clear – to be the leading global retailer for parents and young children.”
| Group performance for 13 weeks to 7 January 2017 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 weeks: | 41 weeks: | |||||
| FY2016 | FY2017 | 07-Jan-17 | ||||
| Q3 | Q4 | Q1 | Q2 | % change year-on-year | ||
| UK | Q3 | Q3 YTD | ||||
| Total UK sales | -0.1 | 0.8 | -2.1 | -2.5 | 0.6 | -1.2 |
| Online sales | 11.8 | 5.6 | 6.4 | 7.3 | 5.5 | 6.4 |
| UK like-for-like sales (1) | 4.2 | 2.1 | 1.2 | -2.5 | 1 | -0.1 |
| UK space (change in sq.ft.) | -6.1 | -6.4 | -4.8 | -1.7 | -4.5 | -4.5 |
| International | ||||||
| International retail sales in constant currency (1) | -1.3 | -9.7 | 3.9 | -5.6 | -5.9 | -2.6 |
| International retail sales in actual currency (1) | -9.5 | -10.8 | 5.1 | 9.5 | 13.2 | 9.1 |
| International space (change in sq.ft.) | 5.8 | 4.6 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Group | ||||||
| Worldwide sales (2) | -5.5 | -6.7 | 2.7 | 5.1 | 7.5 | 5.1 |
| Total group sales (3) | -5.4 | 1.4 | -1.7 | 0.5 | 1.8 | 0.2 |
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