Following today’s results, Mothercare has said profits for the full year were likely to be in line with expectations.

The firm bucked the current retail trend and reported UK like-for-like sales had increased by 1.1 per cent for the 13 weeks to January 9th.

International sales were up by nearly 50 per cent in the third quarter and the firm has announced it will continue its expansion plan that has seen it open over 100 stores within ten months.

Chief executive Ben Gordon said: "The Mothercare group has performed well in the third quarter reflecting the strength and resilience of the Mothercare and Early Learning Centre brands around the world.

"International is having a record year. We opened the group's 1,000th store worldwide in Dubai in December. We now have 1,011 stores worldwide including 603 Mothercare and Early Learning Centre stores outside the UK in 50 countries.

"In the UK our multi-channel business has again grown like-for-like sales in a difficult market, boosted by strong performances from Direct and the Early Learning Centre inserts now in Mothercare stores. The winter sale is progressing well and we enter the new season with a clean stock position.”