Mothercare

Mothercare is a British retailer specializing in products for expectant mothers and general merchandise for children up to 8 years old. The company was founded by Selim Zilkha and Sir James Goldsmith in 1961. The Mothercare group is comprised of two popular retail brands; Mothercare and Early Learning Centre. The business operated through three distinct channels; UK stores, Direct (in-home, in-store internet based and catalog mail order) and International franchises.

The first Mothercare store was opened in Surrey offering maternity clothing, pushchairs, and nursery furniture. Soon the store began to include clothing for children up to the age of five and later up to the age of eight. Currently, Mothercare offers a broad range of maternity clothing, children’s clothing, furnishing, feeding, bathing, furniture and home, travel equipment and toys in all its stores. 

The company launched its mail-order business in 1962 and 1972, Mothercare became a public company and was listed on the London Stock Exchange. In 1982, the company merged with the Habitat chain to form Habitat Mothercare plc, and in 1986 Habitat Mothercare plc merged with British Home Stores plc. During the 1990s the merger was rationalized, and in 2000 Mothercare became the single brand, and the company’s name was changed to Mothercare plc.