A total of 31 Ted Baker stores across the UK and Ireland are preparing to close permanently, putting more than 500 jobs at risk. The shutdown of these stores is scheduled to happen on Tuesday afternoon. The decision follows the administration of No Ordinary Designer Label (NODL), the company that owned Ted Baker’s UK shops. In March, administrators closed 15 stores and made 245 staff redundant.
Currently, there are 513 employees in the UK working at Ted Baker stores and the head office, down from the approximately 975 employees prior to the administration. Ted Baker used to operate 46 stores as well as concessions in department stores and an online shop. Despite efforts to negotiate, talks between Ted Baker’s US owner, Authentic Brands, and Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group have stalled.
On the Ted Baker website, a notice has been posted stating that they are not accepting orders at this point. Customers still have 14 days to return online purchases, but returns from outside the UK are no longer accepted. The list of final Ted Baker stores in the UK and Ireland includes locations such as Bath, Belfast, Bluewater, Brent Cross, Glasgow Buchanan Street, Manchester Shambles, and more.
This news comes as a blow to the retail sector, signalling challenges for established brands in a competitive market. It also highlights the ongoing impact of economic uncertainties on businesses and jobs. The closure of these stores represents the end of an era for Ted Baker amid a changing landscape in the retail industry.