Mother and baby products retailer Mothercare said it would close more UK stores as it seeks to restore profitability in its home market, after sales there slumped in the fourth quarter.

Photo: Mothercare

Last November the firm launched a strategic review of its British business having detailed plans in May to close about 110 stores over two years as leases expire.

It said on Thursday it would reshape its UK business to a profitable core of 200 stores.

Having closed a net 62 stores in its 2011-12 year it will now close 111 stores over the next three years to March 2015.

The firm forecast the closures would improve UK profits by about 13 million pounds by March 2015.

Mothercare said it has also identified savings in non-store overhead costs of at least 20 million pounds on an annualised basis by March 2015.

It said the store closures and cost savings will require an investment of 35 million pounds. A refinancing of its banking facilities has been agreed.

The firm said it would accelerate its international expansion.

Mothercare said UK sales tumbled in its fourth quarter, offsetting strong growth overseas.

The group, which issued three profit warnings last year and parted company with its chief executive, said sales at UK stores open over a year fell 8.2 percent in the 12 weeks to March 31.

That compares with a fall of 3.0 percent in the third quarter.

International retail sales rose 18.0 percent.

The firm said it would meet expectations for full year pretax profit.

Mothercare is battling intense competition in Britain from supermarkets and internet players as well as a weak consumer environment.

It has recruited Simon Calver, formerly the head of Amazon Inc's, LOVEfiLM International unit, to become its new chief executive. He starts April 30.

Shares in Mothercare, which have lost 60 percent of their value over the last year, closed Wednesday at 169.75 pence, valuing the business at 137 million pounds.