Mamas & Papas sales rise 17%

High street nursery brand Mamas and Papas has reported sales rose by 17% in the 13 weeks to 31 December. The retailer said a record Black Friday performance, which saw year on year sales increase 18% over the three-week period, provided “significant trading momentum heading into the crucial Christmas period”, with both its digital business and stores setting new records in the season’s key trading week. The group, which designs and sells travel systems, nursery furniture and baby products, said its expanding network of stores and concessions in the UK delivered better than expected sales, whilst its online business grew 20% over the period. Its UK retail estate now includes 34 ‘store in store’ concessions with partners NEXT and Marks & Spencer, as well as Arnotts in Ireland, with a strong roll out plan for further locations set to open in 2024. It has also successfully launched the concept with other retailers in its target overseas markets, including El Corte Ingles in Spain, and new openings in March 2024 with MAP Active in Indonesia and Central Department Store Group in Thailand. The retailer said it expected to deliver a record-breaking turnover and full year profits in the current year ending March 2024. In its last full financial year ended 27 March 2023, the group reported full-year sales of £144m (2022: £126m), with profit of £10.9m (2022: £10.2m). The group, which employs around 1,000 people, also said its increased focus on ESG commitments, was also helping it win new customers. Earlier this year, it expanded its ‘Loved for life’ initiative, which provides services to resale, refresh or recycle items such as pushchairs and baby clothes, as part of its circularity strategy. It also operates a take-back scheme under its partnership with charity Oxfam which helps to reduce the amount of clothing sent to landfill each year. Nathan Williams, chief executive officer of Mamas and Papas, said: “We are incredibly proud of our performance and hugely grateful to all of our teams who have made this happen. “Last year, despite a challenging inflationary environment, we backed our strategy and continued to invest in the brand and the business for both long-term sales and profit growth. That approach is bearing fruit in the current year, with an excellent performance from our revamped digital business and expanded store estate.” “We’re looking forward to building on the momentum we’re currently seeing into the next year, expanding our presence both in the UK and overseas as the category leader in nursery and baby products and a purpose-led platform which champions parents and the planet.”