The Mothercare group performed well across all channels in the third quarter, according to results out this morning.

Total group sales for the 13 weeks ending January 8th were up 4.6 per cent, while UK like for like sales rose 4.2 per cent. Total UK sales were up 2.5 per cent, while direct in home sales increased by 19.5 per cent.

International retail sales, meanwhile, were up 9.3 per cent (up 14 per cent at constant exchange).

"Our multi-channel UK business enjoyed a particularly good Christmas, recording positive like for like sales growth for the 18th consecutive quarter, with strong contributions from the Early Learning Centre and Direct," said Ben Gordon, chief executive. "Our new property strategy is on track with seven new Parenting Centres opened so far this year.

"International continues to have a record year, successfully building on retail sales growth of 49.1 per cent in the third quarter last year."

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Total group sales for the year to date were up 6.6 per cent.