Mamas & Papas says sales growth is strong, adding to store count

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
May 23, 2022

UK high street kidswear and nursery brand Mamas & Papas is recovering from the pandemic and said sales to the end of March were up 36% year-on-year, “buoyed by more openings, new product launches and its enhanced online presence”.

Over a third of the group sales by volume come from overseas operations, which include 20 franchisee stores across the Middle East and a network of distributors and agents in 40 countries.
 
The company also gave more details about its plans to step up the expansion of its UK store network over the next 12 months.

It aims to more than double the number of concessions through its strategic partnership with Next, adding another 19 to the 14 it already operates with the retail giant, creating up to 200 jobs. 
 
These will be in addition to the 22 standalone stores it also operates. 
 
It’s part of its “post-pandemic bricks and mortar expansion drive”, which could also include additional concessions with other retailers that are “keen to provide customers with a best-in-class nursery offer”. No further details were available on which retailers it’s talking to.
 
COO Nathan Williams said: “The pandemic showed us just how much our customers missed visiting our stores. There’s simply no substitute for the quality and depth of experience you can create with bricks and mortar.
 
“That’s why we’re currently investing so significantly in opening new space across the UK and accelerating the growth of our store estate further this year with new and existing concession partners.”