Mothercare is a specialist retailer of products for mothers-to-be, babies, and children up to the age of eight. We opened our first store in 1961 in Surrey. Initially, the business focused on pushchairs, nursery furniture, and maternity clothing, but soon expanded our range to include clothing for children up to the age of five and later up to the age of eight. We now offer a wide range of maternity and children's clothing, furniture and home furnishings, bedding, feeding, bathing, travel equipment, and toys through our retail stores and online in the United Kingdom, and also operate internationally through franchises in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Far East under the 'Mothercare' brand name. In June 2007, the group acquired Chelsea Stores Holdings Limited, the owner of the Early Learning Centre (ELC) brand.