Mothercare plc is a British designer and retailer of maternity apparel, based in Hertfordshire. It is publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange under the stock ticker symbol ‘MTC’.
The company focuses on products for expectant mothers and general merchandise for young children, including clothing (from entry price offerings and premium offerings), home & travel products (which includes pushchairs, car seats, furniture, bedding, feeding and bathing equipment) and toys.
It operates via three channels to market; UK stores, Direct (internet-based businesses and catalogue mail order), and International, under which the group franchises (or participates in joint venture) in overseas markets.
Mothercare was founded in 1961 by Selim Zilkha and Sir James Goldsmith. The company went public on the London Stock Exchange in 1972.
The company states that it aims “to be the world’s leading mother and baby specialist, making life easier for families the world over by offering our customers value, choice, service and delivery both in store and online.”
Mothercare plc – Overview
CEO: Mark Newton-Jones- Chairman: Alan Parker
- Type: Public
- Industry: Retail
- Publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE)
- LSE stock ticker symbol: MTC
- Revenue: £724.9 million GBP
- Net (loss): £(27.5) million GBP
- Diluted earnings per share: (31.0p)
- Founded: 1961
- Founder(s): Selim Zilkha and Sir James Goldsmith
- Employees: 5,613 (2013)
- Corporate headquarters: Cherry Tree Road, Watford, Herts, WD24 6SH
- Corporate contact number: 01923 241 000
- Investor relations email address: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.mothercareplc.com/
Mothercare plc – Stock Data
Mothercare plc – Financial Results
| Operating data (in £ millions) | 2014 | 2013 |
| Revenue | £724.9 | £749.4 |
| Cost of sales | £(694.9) | £(696.3) |
| Gross profit | £30.0 | £53.1 |
| Administrative expenses | £(37.7) | £(40.1) |
| Loss from operations | £(19.1) | £(17.6) |
| Loss for the period | £(27.5) | £(23.8) |
| Total comprehensive expense | £(23.9) | £(34.7) |
| Balance sheet data (in £ millions) | ||
| Total assets | £300.2 | £340.4 |
| Total liabilities | £(285.0) | £(301.6) |
| Total equity | £15.2 | £38.8 |
| Cash flow data (in £ millions) | ||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | £4.0 | £6.8 |
| Net cash used in investing activities | £(13.8) | £(15.8) |
| Net cash provided by financing activities | £11.1 | £25.8 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | £17.3 | £17.6 |
| Common share data (in £) | ||
| Basic earnings (loss) per common share | (31.0p) | (26.9p) |
| Diluted earnings (loss) per common share | (31.0p) | (26.9p) |
Source: “Mothercare plc 2013 Annual Report”
Mothercare plc – News
July 26, 2014: Destination Maternity says it has given up trying to acquire Mothercare. The US retail chain said that Mothercare stockholders would only consider a “very significant increase”. Ed Krell, Destination Maternity’s CEO, said he was disappointed. He added that the combined companies would have become a global leader in maternity, baby and children’s clothing and products, and part of the solution to Mothercare’s turnaround plan.
June 2, 2014: Mothercare plc rejected a second buyout offer from the US firm Destination Maternity in a deal worth £266 million ($456.5 million). The Board of Mothercare reviewed the Revised Proposal in detail and believed that the deal significantly undervalued Mothercare and its prospects.