Contrasting fortunes at Ted Baker

Ted Baker has global ambitions

UK fashion chain Ted Baker has reported flat half-year profits, after contrasting performances by its retail and wholesale arms.

The company said pre-tax profit for the six months to 11 August totalled £7m, the same level as it achieved for the same period last year.

Sales in Ted Baker's own shops, its retail division, were up 15.1% from a year earlier to £45.4m.

However, sales to other retailers, its wholesale unit, fell 4.1%.

International expansion

Ted Baker's chief executive Ray Kelvin described the firm's latest results as "excellent".

"The initial response to our autumn/winter collections has been very positive," he added.

"And we remain dedicated to the careful international expansion of the brand, through our multi-channel distribution strategy."

The company has 22 stores across the UK and Europe, and recently expanded to Australia, where it has opened an outlet in Melbourne.