British maternity goods seller Mothercare, on the back of a strong half yearly performance and a steadily improving market, has announced plans to expand its wholesale operations to a global level, as the group has already done to Early Learning Centre, a business it acquired in 2007.

The firm also said that it is planning to build as many as 33 large out-of-town outlets, which will create 400 jobs, in addition to 12 urban retail stores.

Mothercare's sales for the current year's first half, as was expected by analysts, surged by 7.9% to ?387.3 Million, as compared to the figures posted for the same time last year. The company has credited a 29.6% hike in its international franchising operations as the major reason for a successful growth in the first half.

The firm's Chief Executive Ben Gordon has been quick to predict future growth with the company expanding into China and India where there are nearly 43 million births in a year. "The really big part of the business is international. Franchising will always shift the most volumes", he said.

Mothercare's interim dividend, which will be paid on February 5, has also been increased from 4.6 pence to 5.5 pence.