Ted Baker 'plans high street return'

Fashion Network

2 days ago

could be planning a return to UK physical retail if a report is to be believed, with a newspaper saying that it could be back next year.
The report was in the Sun, which isn't known for it breaking business news stories, but it said that sources close to the matter have told it of plans for a high street come back in early 2026.
That comeback would initially happen in London, we're told, although few details are available at present and it's unclear whether there will be shops outside the UK capital and how many physical locations are planned.
The news comes after the once-high-flying brand closed all of its stores last August.
The brand was founded in 1988 and was hugely successful in the ensuing decades, later listing on the stock exchange and being a popular choice for investors.
As recently as a decade ago it had 550 shops and concessions globally, but the fashion sector downturn of recent years was devastating for the business. After going into administration it was acquired for £210 million in 2022 by US-based Authentic Brands Group, which changed its complete business approach, operating it on a licensing model.
But this hasn't always worked out and in early 20204, Authentic cut ties with UK and Europe stores and webstore operator AARC, which was based in the Netherlands and had run into financial difficulties.
After its store closures, the brand later last year returned to e-commerce and wholesale and a return to operating its own physical stores would see it coming full circle.