Weather hits Mothercare sales

Forecasts had ranged from a fall of one per cent to an increase of 2.75 per cent.

"Extreme weather conditions adversely impacted performance, resulting in an extension of our winter sale, although the impact was offset by tight cost control," said chief executive Ben Gordon of the group's performance in Britain.

International sales were up 19.3 per cent in the 11 weeks ended March 27.

Mothercare has 1,115 stores in 52 countries, including 387 in Britain and 728 abroad.

"We continue to manage the business tightly in an uncertain consumer environment and are well placed as we enter the new financial year," Mr Gordon said.

Mothercare coped better than most retailers during the recession, helped by selling essential products to parents, strong growth in emerging markets and online, and the integration of the Early learning Centre brand bought in 2007.