Mothercare’s results delay

MOTHERCARE has been forced to delay the publication of its annual results as it battles to overhaul the business and reverse falling sales and profits.

The mother-and-baby retailer blamed the delay on complex changes during the financial year which included the £13.5m sale of the Early Learning Centre and store closure. It will publish its results today, a day later than expected.

Its UK business has been losing money for more than a decade as it battles to attract customers who are shunning the High Street and flocking online.

Mothercare has 80 shops, a dramatic reduction from a year ago when it had 137 stores.

Chief executive Mark NewtonJones admitted last month he would consider selling the UK arm.