Ted Baker has reentered the UK high street scene with a new shop-in-shop located in Selfridges Manchester Trafford. This boutique concession showcases a curated selection of fashion, accessories, and lifestyle items, emphasizing summer designs and prints. Described by Ted Baker as resembling “the walk-in wardrobe of the ultimate Ted woman,” the space features standout pieces such as the Rasher Printed Ottoman Mini Dress priced at £179, the Antya Textured Puff Sleeve Mini Dress at £229, and chic tailored separates like the Ambita Tailored Blazer for £299 paired with the Platy Front Pleat Wide Leg Trousers costing £179.
Following the administration of No Ordinary Designer Label (NODL), the company operating Ted Baker’s UK stores, in March 2024, which led to the closure of all 46 outlets by August 2024, Ted Baker, originally established as a menswear brand in 1988, faced a significant setback. At its peak, the brand boasted 550 stores and concessions globally, employing approximately 975 individuals. However, the intellectual property rights to Ted Baker were acquired by the US firm Authentic Brands Group for £211 million in October 2022.
In a recent development, Ted Baker’s website relaunched in November 2024 under a new management arrangement with United Legwear and Apparel Co (ULAC) to oversee the brand’s online operations in the UK and Europe. ULAC, already managing Ted Baker’s presence in the US and Canada, holds partnerships with various renowned brands including Skechers, Puma North America, Scotch & Soda, and DKNY.
Ted Baker is not the only retailer staging a comeback on the high street. Claire’s, which closed all 154 of its UK stores following an announcement by administrators at Kroll resulting in around 1,300 job losses, is reportedly planning to open 50 new stores. The Guardian reports that Julien Jarjoura, who operates Claire’s stores in several European countries, is in the process of securing new leases with UK landlords to launch four to 10 stores per week starting from June. These revamped stores will offer ear-piercing services along with a range of new jewellery and accessories, priced from £1.90 to over £100.
Mr. Jarjoura, who oversees about 240 Claire’s stores across Europe and had attempted to acquire the brand earlier this year, expressed optimism about reviving the brand, stating, “The brand was basically dead and we’re bringing it back to life.”