Mothercare Regulatory News (MTC)

13 Jan 2005 07:00

Mothercare PLC13 January 2005 13 January 2005 MOTHERCARE PLC TRADING STATEMENT Mothercare is today providing a trading update for the 13 week period from 10October 2004 to 7 January 2005. For the 13 week period to 7 January 2005, since the end of our half year, totalUK store sales decreased by 0.6% compared to the same period last year with UKstore like-for-like sales down by 0.8%. For the 8 week period since we lastreported total UK store sales decreased by 1.1% compared to the same period lastyear with UK store like-for-like sales down by 1.6%. Gross margins for the full year are anticipated to be in line with expectations.Our winter sale is going well, with end of season stock levels being tightlycontrolled and clearing in line with plan. Our operating costs have beensuccessfully managed and will be better than anticipated for the second halfyear. Our International business continues to perform well. Ben Gordon, Chief Executive said: "Our overall performance is resilient in the tougher trading environment. Ourunderlying gross margins continue to improve. We went on sale in accordance withour plans for the Christmas period and have managed our seasonal stock levelswell. In addition, we have kept a tight control on costs. The business is ingood shape going forward and we are confident of making further progress." Mothercare expects to make a pre-close statement on 31 March 2005 ahead of itspreliminary results announcement for the 52 weeks to 26 March 2005. Enquiries to: Mothercare plcBen Gordon, Chief Executive 01923 20 6000Steven Glew, Finance Director 01923 20 6187 Brunswick GroupSusan Gilchrist/Chi Lo/Anna Jones 020 7404 5959 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange