Ted Baker Design Group faces a potential reduction of its workforce by a third, affecting approximately 30 positions.
- The job cuts are expected to take place at the London headquarters on Cleveland Street.
- This development follows Ted Baker’s recent closure of its UK stores, concessions and website after entering administration earlier this year.
- The workforce reduction is attributed to a decreased demand for product design and sourcing tasks.
- New licensing partners for Ted Baker have been appointed recently, yet statements from PDS and Authentic Brands Group remain absent.
Ted Baker Design Group is poised to make significant workforce reductions, with 30 positions anticipated to be impacted. This equates to a substantial 33% reduction of its team, a development confirmed by Drapers. The targeted job cuts will primarily occur at Ted Baker’s London headquarters, situated on Cleveland Street, highlighting a shift in operational dynamics.
While this announcement closely follows the shuttering of Ted Baker’s UK retail presence and digital platforms due to administration proceedings initiated in March, the design group layoffs are notably independent of these earlier actions. The move can be primarily attributed to diminished workload demands in the areas of product design and sourcing, rather than financial turbulence.
Ted Baker Design Group, formed in April 2023 by PDS, serves as the global epicentre for the brand’s design and innovation. However, the recent challenges necessitate these strategic shifts. Authentic Brands Group, the owner of Ted Baker, had previously emphasised PDS’s crucial role as a core licensee and operating partner for the brand, highlighting a collaborative vision.
In tandem with these adjustments, Authentic Brands Group has revealed new licensing partnerships for Ted Baker in the American and Canadian markets, identifying United Legwear & Apparel Co., Peerless, and BCI Brands as the designated partners. Despite these international commitments, PDS Group and Authentic Brands Group have refrained from commenting on the recent personnel decisions.
The forthcoming job reductions at Ted Baker Design Group underscore a strategic realignment amid evolving market conditions.
