Mothercare total sales up 20.7%

LONDON (ShareCast) - Mothercare (LSE: MTC.L) saw total group sales rise 20.7% in the first quarter, which the baby goods retailer said reflected the strength of the Mothercare and Early Learning Centre brands.

UK like-for-like sales in the period rose 1% with total UK sales up 19.5%, though down 1.3% on a proforma basis, assuming the Early Learning Centre was owned for the first quarter last year, due to the planned reduction of space. The group said Direct in Home sales surged 77.7%.

International franchisee like-for-like sales rose 9% while international franchisee retail sales went up 50.4%.

"The multi-channel UK business has shown resilience in a slow economic environment, strengthened by the successful Direct operations," said the group.

"The integration of the Early Learning Centre and the reshaping of the combined property portfolio are both progressing well. The International business goes from strength to strength, driven by strong franchisee like-for-like sales and 32 new store openings, including the opening of our first store in China in the quarter," it added.

Source:http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/080717/214/i3bul.html