Overseas stores lift Mothercare

MOTHERCARE has told investors that strong growth overseas should offset a "more challenging" consumer climate in the UK this year.

The babycare retailer yesterday hailed a record year for its international arm after sales jumped 21 per cent to 490.9 million, helped by the launch of Mothercare in Australia and the Early Learning Centre in South Africa.

The group – which now has 1,115 stores in 52 countries – saw its fourth successive year of like-for-like sales growth in the UK but is "planning cautiously" for more sluggish conditions as shoppers feel the squeeze.