Mothercare has said that profits for the full year are expected to be in line with current forecasts following a rise in sales for the fourth quarter.

In an “encouraging” trading update, the group said that group reported sales were up 0.6%, a rise from the 6.1% fall in the previous 12 week period.

Alan Parker, chairman of Mothercare plc, said: "After a difficult Q3, it is encouraging to note that we have seen some improvement in trading for both International and the UK.

"International has continued to increase space and constant currency sales growth is stronger than the previous quarter, with positive like-for-likes. However the pace of currency devaluation, as highlighted in January, has increased with all four regions impacted. This adverse currency impact is expected to persist into next year. Nevertheless, our franchise partners continue to see opportunity and their business plans confirm double-digit space growth.

"In the UK we have continued to close loss-making stores and focus on a lean retail operation. We are increasingly moving to a multi-channel business with 29% of the sales mix, up from 25% in the previous year, attributable to our Direct business. UK like-for-like sales and margins are in line with expectations for the quarter, despite continued pricing-pressure in Home and Travel.

"We remain profitable at group level and are focused on eliminating UK losses whilst also continuing to exploit our growth potential across our International markets."