Ted Baker is plotting a major return to the high street almost two years after its disappearance from UK town centres. The fashion retailer is preparing to open its first new standalone UK store later this year, marking the next stage in its comeback after every one of its British shops closed following the company's collapse.
Earlier this year, the brand launched a Ted Baker boutique inside Selfridges on the upper level at the Trafford Centre. The store opened in May as part of its gradual return to physical retail through a number of boutique concessions, sparking a key moment in the brand's revival.
Standalone Store Coming Soon
Its owner, Authentic Brands Group, confirmed the first standalone store will open "very soon", although the location has yet to be revealed, as reported by Retail Week. The news follows the launch of a similar Ted Baker boutique inside Selfridges Birmingham in the Bullring, selling a curated collection of occasion wear, accessories and lifestyle products.
The iconic fashion chain is plotting a comeback after its operator, No Ordinary Designer Label, entered into administration in March 2024. The chain had two stand-alone stores in Greater Manchester – one on New Cathedral Street in the city centre and another at the Trafford Centre. There were also concessions in Kendals and in Selfridges and John Lewis in the Trafford Centre.
Previous Challenges and Collapse
Ted Baker had previously acknowledged facing an uphill climb due to economic strains, witnessing dips in consumer interest and supply chain snags. The label was also among the luxury brands beaten down during the Covid-19 pandemic. By August 2024, all 46 UK stores had closed, bringing the brand's 36-year presence on the British high street to an end and resulting in hundreds of job losses.
Following the collapse, Authentic Brands Group began searching for a new operating partner before relaunching Ted Baker's UK website in November 2024, once again selling menswear, womenswear and accessories online.
Brand History and Future Plans
Founded in Glasgow in 1988, Ted Baker grew into one of Britain's best-known fashion labels, with around 550 stores and concessions worldwide at its peak. Further details of Ted Baker's first standalone store, including its location and opening date, are expected to be announced in the coming months.
