Ted Baker upbeat after sales boost

Fashion chain Ted Baker today said its spring and summer collections had delivered a sales boost despite the high street misery faced by many retailers.

The group’s retail sales were 15.4% ahead of the previous year in the 19 weeks to June 7 as the company also benefited from new stores in the City of London, Belfast, Cambridge and Heathrow’s Terminal 5.

Founder and chief executive Ray Kelvin said: “Considering the tougher retail climate, we have been pleased with our performance across the group and the positive reaction from customers to our spring summer collections.”

The positive update from Ted Baker – which added that margins were in line with expectations – contrasted with struggling rival French Connection and downbeat recent statements from the likes of Next and Marks & Spencer.

The period saw the opening of the company’s second standalone store in London dedicated solely to womenswear. The group plans to develop the range and quality of lines such as its ’Langley’ premium womenswear collection.