Mothercare to launch first stores in China

Babycare retailer Mothercare today announced plans to debut in the Chinese market after signing a joint venture deal with the country’s largest manufacturer of childcare products.

Mothercare has teamed up with Goodbaby for its China launch, with plans to open its first trial stores next spring.

The move, which will see Mothercare take a 30% stake in the joint venture, comes just two months after the group agreed to buy the Early Learning Centre childcare toy chain for €125m.

Mothercare opened its first overseas store in Kuwait in 1982 and now operates from 565 Mothercare stores in 40 countries, in addition to the recently acquired ELC network.

The group said the Chinese launch would boost its presence in Asia following its entrance into India last year, where it plans to open up to 100 stores within five years.