STRUGGLING retailer Mothercare is to axe another 111 UK stores over the next three years in a move hitting 730 jobs.
The retailer, which sells products for mothers-to-be, babies and children, revealed group plans to cut the number of stores in the UK from 311 to 200 by closing 36 Mothercare sites and 75 Early Learning Centres, following months of weak trade.
The announcement came as the group revealed a further worsening in UK like-for-like sales, which fell by 9.5% in the 12 weeks to March 31 compared with 3% in the previous quarter.
The group has a Mothercare store at Great Northern Retail Park in Huddersfield and an Early Learning Centre outlet at New Street.
The group has not disclosed which stores are to close.
Alan Parker, executive chairman, said the changes will see the group transformed into a “lean, more competitive business’’.
He added: “Mothercare is a great global brand with strong international partners. Today marks the beginning of a three-year turnaround and I am confident we will deliver a sustained recovery and long-term success.”
Mothercare has been squeezed between rival retailers such as Tesco entering the mother-and-baby market and “high end” suppliers like Huddersfield-based Mamas & Papas.
Mothercare said it would slash UK head office payroll costs by up to 16%, equating to about 90 roles.
The remaining 200 stores will comprise 95 out-of-town sites and 105 high street locations. It said the closures will improve UK profits by £13m by March 2015.
