Mothercare plc News Announcement

Mothercare PLC - AGM Interim Management Statement

RNS Number : 2540Z
  Mothercare PLC
  17 July 2008


MOTHERCARE PLC
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
INTERIM MANAGEMENT STATEMENT

At the Mothercare Annual General Meeting to be held at 10.30 this morning, Ian
Peacock, Chairman, will give the following update on trading for the 15 weeks
ended 11 July 2008 (first quarter).

Group performance

*     Total group sales up 20.7% (up 0.8% on a proforma(1) basis)
*     UK like-for-like sales(2) up 1.0%
*     Total UK sales up 19.5% (down 1.3% on a proforma basis due to the planned
reduction of space from the implementation of our property strategy)
*     Direct in Home sales up 77.7% (up 27.5% on a proforma basis)
*     International franchisee like-for-like sales up 9.0%
*     International franchisee retail sales up 50.4% (up 35.7% on a proforma
basis) - total 526 overseas franchise stores in 49 countries

Ian Peacock, Chairman said:

'We are pleased to report a positive first quarter performance for the
Mothercare group, reflecting the strength of the Mothercare and Early Learning
Centre brands in the UK and around the world.

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


Enquiries to:

Mothercare plc
 Ben Gordon, Chief Executive        01923 206001
 Neil Harrington, Finance Director  01923 206187

Brunswick Group
 Catherine Hicks/Anna Jones  020 7404 5959


Note 1 - On 19 June 2007, Mothercare completed the acquisition of the Early
Learning Centre. For ease of analysis, certain results are also presented on a
'proforma' basis which assumes that the Early Learning Centre had been owned for
the entire
first quarter this year and last year.

Note 2 - 'Like-for-like' sales are defined as sales growth for stores that have
been trading continuously from the same selling space for at least a year. Sales
from the Early Learning Centre shops in Mothercare stores are included where
they are
trading in existing Mothercare space. Franchisee like-for-like sales are
estimated. Like-for-like sales are presented on a proforma basis.

Note 3 - Mothercare expects to provide a second quarter trading update on 16
October 2008.

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

  END

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