Mothercare’s Irish operations back in profit

The Irish arm of maternity product retailer Mothercare returned to an operating profit last year in spite of revenues declining.

Newly filed accounts show Mothercare (Ireland) Ltd and subsidiaries recorded an operating profit of €79,421, a turnaround from an operating loss of €586,016 in 2013. Revenues at the group fell by 3.5% from €36.89m to €35.62m in the 12 months to the end of last March.

The decline in revenues at the baby and maternity care firm comes against the background of a declining birth-rate in Ireland from 16.8 per 1,000 in 2008 to 15 per 1,000 in 2013. However, the drop was reversed in 2014, according to CSO figures, with around 200 babies born every day.

According to the directors’ report for Mothercare Ireland: “The directors are satisfied with the results for the year and look forward to improving profitability in the coming periods.”

Accounts show the group recorded a modest pre-tax loss last year of €10,579 after interest payable of €90,000. This followed a pre-tax loss of €586,016 in 2013 that took into account an exceptional and unspecified cost of €125,000. The group has 20 outlets here.