Mothercare posts profits boost as 'digitally enabled millennials' drive growth

Mothercare has reported its first rise in full-year profits for five years as the retailer's turnaround under chief executive Mark Newton-Jones begins to yield results.

The retailer said that pre-tax profit came in at £9.7 million compared with a loss of £13.1 million last year as "digitally enabled millennials" helped drive growth.

Like-for-like sales in the UK rose 3.6% and online sales rocketed by 15%.

Mr Newton-Jones said: "The results highlight the significant progress we are making towards returning the UK to profitability.

"Improvements to our customer offer, both in store and online, and the look and feel of the store estate are driving like-for-like sales growth for a second consecutive year."

Despite the group profit, the firm still posted a £6.4 million loss in the UK. At its international arm, Mothercare's underlying profit came in at £40.3 million.