Business
Second Quarter Trading Update
Second Quarter Trading Update.
About this update from Mothercare Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n RNS Number : 7993A Mothercare PLC 15 October 2009 \n \n\n\n\nMOTHERCARE PLC\nSECOND QUARTER TRADING UPDATE\n\nMothercare plc today issued an update on trading for the second quarter (13 weeks) and the first half (28 weeks) ended 10 October 2009.\n\nGroup performance - first half\n\n\n\nTotal group sales up 8.2%\n\n\nUK like-for-like sales(1) up 4.1%\n\n\nTotal UK sales up 2.6%\n\n\nDirect in Home sales up 14.4%\n\n\nInternational retail sales(1) up 27.3%\n\n\nInternational like-for-like sales(1) up 1.0%\n\n\nTotal 1,060 stores in 51 countries; 389 in UK and 671 overseas\n\n\n\nGroup performance - second quarter\n\n\n\nTotal group sales up 7.0%\n\n\nUK like-for-like sales(1) up 3.0%\n\n\nTotal UK sales up 2.0%\n\n\nDirect in Home sales up 11.3%\n\n\nInternational retail sales(1) up 23.2%\n\n\n\nBen Gordon, Chief Executive said:\n\n\"The Mothercare and Early Learning Centre brands have performed well across all channels. International continues to grow strongly with 62 new stores opened in the first half, on track to meet our target of 100 new overseas stores this year. We have opened our fourth store in China, where the brand is gaining increased recognition. We will also launch Mothercare in Australia and the Early Learning Centre in South Africa during the second half.\n\n\"Our multi-channel UK business recorded positive like-for-like sales growth for the seventeenth consecutive quarter, helped by the performance of Direct and the success of the Early Learning Centre inserts in larger Mothercare stores. In September we announced the acquisition of the remaining 50% of gurgle.com, the rapidly growing social networking site for parents.\n \n\"This strong trading performance has offset the increases in costs arising from the continuing weakness of Sterling, pensions and share based payments. Whilst the economic environment remains uncertain, our first half performance and the strategic initiatives we have taken give us confidence for the rest of the year.\"\n\nEnquiries to:\n\nMothercare plc\n\n\n\n\nBen Gordon, Chief Executive \n\n\n01923 206001\n\n\n\n\nNeil Harrington, Finance Director\n\n\n01923 206187\n\n\n\n\n\nBrunswick Group\n\n\n\n\nCatherine Hicks/Catriona McDermott\n \n\n\n020 7404 ...