Cold weather hits Mothercare sales

1st Apr 2010 07:02

The cold snap in the early part of the year and tougher comparatives contributed to a drop in fourth quarter like for like (LFL) sales at baby products retailer Mothercare.On the positive side, the international division pepped up the group's trading performance in the 11 weeks ended 27 March with a 19.3% jump in overseas retail sales.UK LFL sales were down 1.6% in the period, while total UK sales dropped by 0.9%. Total group sales were up 3.3% and direct in home sales jumped 15.3%.In the full year, UK LFL sales rose 3% and total group sales were up 5.9%. International LFL sales increased by 2.2%.Mothercare has opened 119 stores in 29 countries outside the UK in the year giving a total of 728. The retailer said its new joint venture in India is performing particularly well and it is planning at least 38 new stores in the coming year taking the number of stores in India to 70."In the fourth quarter the extreme weather conditions adversely impacted performance, resulting in an extension of our winter sale, although the impact was offset by tight cost control," said chief executive Ben Gordon."We continue to manage the business tightly in an uncertain consumer environment and are well placed as we enter the new financial year."