Direct in Home, Mothercare’s web-based home delivery service, saw growth of 18.2 per cent in the 11 weeks of trading to March 30, according to the retailer's Q4 results.
Currently 12 months into a three-year restructuring plan, Mothercare reported like-for-like sales over the winter trading period, compared to a six per cent decline in the previous quarter.
Total UK sales fell 5.1 per cent with group sales declining by 4.8 per cent, underlying pre-tax profit was described by the retailer as “in line with market expectations”.
Mothercare chief executive Simon Calver, who is behind the turnaround plan, has commented that the results show continued progress in both the UK and across international business, and has praised the brand’s “new internet platform” for “improving delivery proposition and strong promotional offers”.
The retailers’ international business, not including the Australia and New Zealand, increased by 115 stores during Q4, resulting in retail sales growth of 15.3 per cent in constant currencies. Excluding Europe, which once again suffered under Eurozone weakness, Mothercare’s international business delivered double digit retail sales for both the quarter and the year.
Mothercare’s results follow Marks & Spencer’s Q4 report which saw mobile sales grow by over 70 per cent in the last year.