Web sales are the fastest growing channel at Mothers Work

Though characterized by the company as a small part of its overall sales, web sales at MaternityMalls.com, the web site of Mothers Work Inc., are growing much faster than sales in stores. Total sales for the company, a designer, manufacturer and retailer of maternity apparel, rose 7.5% to $32.4 million from $29.9 billions in June 2001 from June 2000. Internet sales rose 45.5% during the same period. The company didn’t provide the dollar value of web sales.

Maternitymalls.com sells maternity clothing from three brands, including A Pea in the Pod, Mimi Maternity and Motherhood Maternity, that also are offered in the company’s more than 700 stores and leased departments. The web site last month added new features including ultrasound and baby image postings, chat room and discussion boards, and featured apparel items.