Ted Baker plans return to high street after bankruptcy

Ted Baker aims to return to the high street after closing all UK stores last year.

Former retail giant seeks revival after bankruptcy

Ted Baker, a notable name in British fashion, is reportedly planning to reopen on the high street after it shut all its stores in the UK last year. The brand, once renowned for its stylish menswear and womenswear, declared bankruptcy and closed 46 stores amid a financial collapse linked to its parent company, No Ordinary Designer Label, which entered administration in March 2022. Recent reports indicate that the fashion house intends to establish a new physical presence in London early next year, having relaunched its online store in November 2023. The brand’s founder, Ray Kelvin, who left the company amid controversy in 2019, originally opened its first shop in Glasgow in 1988. Though Ted Baker was previously a retail powerhouse, the shift of consumer preferences towards online shopping contributed to its downfall. American firm Authentic Brands Group currently owns Ted Baker's intellectual property, having acquired it for £211 million in 2022, and its revival efforts arrive at a time when another major fashion retailer, River Island, is struggling to stay afloat with many jobs at risk.

The potential comeback of Ted Baker highlights the challenges and opportunities within the retail fashion landscape. The brand's attempt to return underscores a broader trend in which traditional retailers are reassessing their strategies in a post-pandemic world. Online shopping may have damaged foot traffic in recent years, but some brands have found that a carefully curated physical presence can drive sales and enhance customer engagement. As competition in the industry is fierce, with River Island on the brink of insolvency, the success of Ted Baker’s revival may set a precedent for other struggling retailers. The question remains whether consumers are still willing to support a brand that has seen significant operational changes in recent years.

Highlights

The fate of Ted Baker could redefine the resilience of high street fashion.