Pre-close Trading Update

Mothercare PLC
31 March 2004

31 March 2004

                                 MOTHERCARE PLC
                            PRE-CLOSE TRADING UPDATE

Mothercare plc today issued the following update on trading.  The statement is
being made in respect of Mothercare's year ended 27 March 2004.

_______________________      _______________         _______________         _______________
                             11 Weeks to             24 Weeks to             52 Weeks to
                             27 March 2004           27 March 2004           27 March 2003
_______________________      _______________         _______________         _______________
UK Store Sales               2.2%                    2.3%                    3.1%
_______________________      _______________         _______________         _______________
UK Store like-for-like       4.7%                    5.3%                    5.9%
_______________________      _______________         _______________         _______________


For the 11 week period to 27 March 2004, since our trading statement in January,
total UK store sales increased by 2.2% compared to the same period last year
with UK store like-for-like sales up 4.7%.  For the 24 weeks to 27 March 2004,
representing the second half of the year, total UK store sales increased by 2.3%
with UK store like-for-like sales up 5.3%.

Our High Street refit programme is progressing well with 35 High Street stores
now refitted and these stores continue to perform ahead of the chain.

Our Direct and International businesses continue to perform well.

The gross margin improvement in the first half of the year has been sustained
throughout the year.  As previously indicated, we have made significant
investment in the business to support the turnaround and long term growth.

Ben Gordon, Chief Executive said:

'We are encouraged with this performance which reflects the improvements we are
making, particularly in product quality and availability. Going forward
comparatives will get tougher, however we remain firmly on track with our plans
and will provide a full update on progress at our preliminary results in May.'

The full financial performance for the year (52 weeks to 27 March 2004) will be
reported when Mothercare Preliminary results are announced on 20 May 2004.


Enquiries to:

Mothercare plc
Ben Gordon, Chief Executive                       020 7404 5959 (Wednesday only)
Steven Glew, Finance Director                     Thereafter on 01923 206187

Brunswick Group Limited
Philippa Power/Chi Lo                             020 7404 5959



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