Ted Baker has shrugged off the warm weather that has hurt rivals such as Next to deliver a healthy rise in autumn sales. The quirky clothing brand said its growing number of overseas stores and the skill of its designers helped it overcome the unseasonal weather that has hit a number of British fashion chains.
Ray Kelvin, founder and chief executive, said: “Ted Baker is a global brand with strong international reach and this has helped mitigate the impact of any localised economic or weather issues.”
Group sales rose 15.7% for the three months to 8 November compared with the same period a year ago, as the company opened stores in Las Vegas and Toronto, and further concessions in the US, France, Spain, Portugal and South Korea. Performance was also boosted by a 34.6% rise in internet sales.
The most recent sales growth was lower than Ted Baker previously enjoyed, however. In the first half of its financial year, sales were up 17.4% and profits 24%.
Nick Bubb, an independent retail analyst, said: “Given the unhelpfully warm autumn weather, it’s very good for a UK-based clothing retailer.”
