Mothercare Regulatory News (MTC)

31 Mar 2005 07:01

Mothercare PLC31 March 2005 31 March 2005 MOTHERCARE PLC PRE-CLOSE TRADING UPDATE Mothercare plc today issued the following update on trading. The statement isbeing made in respect of Mothercare's year ended 26 March 2005. 11 Weeks to 24 Weeks to 52 Weeks to 26 March 2005 26 March 2005 26 March 2005UK Store Sales (%) +1.6 +0.5 +0.8UK Store like-for-like (%) +1.1 +0.1 +1.3 For the 11 week period to 26 March 2005, since our trading statement in January,total UK store sales increased by 1.6% compared to the same period last yearwith UK store like-for-like sales up 1.1%. For the 24 weeks to 26 March 2005,representing the second half of the year, total UK store sales increased by 0.5%with UK store like-for-like sales up 0.1%. Sales in our International business were up 18.0% for the 24 weeks to 26 March2005, up 17.3% for the full year to 26 March 2005. We opened an additional 30stores in the year bringing our total number internationally to 220. Gross margins are in line with expectations. The construction of the new National Distribution Centre is progressing to planand we are due to transfer the first stage of our operation in June 2005. Therewill be an operating exceptional item relating to the costs associated with there-organisation of the distribution network of some £6.5m in the financial yearto 26 March 2005. We have also made a special contribution of £10m to our company pension schemes. We expect the outturn for the year to be in line with market expectations. Ben Gordon, Chief Executive said: "The performance of the UK business has been resilient in the tougher tradingenvironment. We are continuing to work hard on turning the business round anddeveloping the Mothercare brand for the future. We are also encouraged by thegrowth of our international business, demonstrating the strength of theMothercare brand worldwide." The full financial performance for the year (52 weeks to 26 March 2005) will bereported when Mothercare Preliminary results are announced on 19 May 2005. Enquiries to: Mothercare plcBen Gordon, Chief Executive 01923 206000Steven Glew, Finance Director 01923 206187 Brunswick Group LimitedCatherine Hicks/Anna Jones 020 7404 5959 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange