Baby chain with 34 stores to OPEN branches despite high street woes

A MAJOR baby chain retailer plans to open as many as 10 new stores in the coming months despite high street struggles. 

Mamas and Papas recently reported its best Black Friday performance on record with a 18% increase in sales. 

The retailer also reported sales up 17% in the 13 weeks to December 31.

The baby chain is now hoping to capitalise on its recent sales boosts with plans to open 10 new stores.

Mamas and Papas has not yet confirmed the locations of its new stores, but they will likely be divided between Next and Marks and Spencer retailers. 

Just five years ago the retailer almost went bust.

In 2019 the retailer closed six stores that were making a loss for the company. 

The impacted loss-making stores, which employed 73 staff, were located in Aberdeen, Preston, Milton Keynes, Lincoln, Leamington and Fareham.

The retailer blamed “more customers choosing to shop online” as well as in-store for the closures.

The remaining 34 stores continued to trade as normal employing around 600 staff.

Mamas & Papas also has a couple of Next concessions. Its products are also sold by retailers like John Lewis.

Most recently, the business opened concessions in Leicester in June, Luton in September and Westwood Cross in November 2023.

Nathan Williams, chief executive officer of Mamas & Papas told The Sun: “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.

“As new and expectant parents prepared for Christmas, Mamas & Papas was there to help them, both online and through more stores and concessions across the UK.”

He added: “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.”

Many high-street retailers have been struggling to get by over the past few years.

Energy costs have risen and more shoppers than ever are choosing to order online rather than head into stores.

This has left some retailers grappling with budgets and having no choice but to close stores to cut costs.

Homebase closed a store last year leaving it with just 93 stores remaining since it was taken over by Hilco Capital in 2018.

Poundstretcher has closed five stores this year with another due to close by this year.

Even charity shops are struggling Oxfam confirmed it would be closing eight of its UK stores last year.

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