Ted Baker wary over crucial season

The designer brand said the strong performance in the 28 weeks to August 28 was driven by womenswear sales and improved trading overseas.

It has made a good start to the second half of the year but said its annual results were dependent on Christmas trading, and it was wary given the "uncertain economic environment".

Ted Baker posted pre-tax profits of 7.5m in the first half, on group revenues of 88.1m, up from 76.6m last year.

Matthew McEachran, analyst at Singer Capital Markets, said the figures were likely to put upward pressure on forecasts for the full year.

He said: "Although comparatives get tougher in the second half, current trading remains robust and Ted Baker's credentials and positioning leave it well placed to continue out-performing if domestic conditions get tougher."

The retailer plans to open new stores in the Trafford Centre, Manchester, Paris and Hong Kong, early next year, as well as further US stores in Chicago and New York this year.

It currently operates 33 stores, 154 concessions and 10 outlet stores in the UK and Europe, 11 stores and two outlet stores in the US, and 16 stores in the Middle East and Asia.

It saw a 17.3 per cent increase in womenswear sales to 43.3m, representing 49.1 per cent of total sales. Menswear was up 12.8 per cent to 44.8m.

The designer brand said sales in the UK and Europe division were up 14.4 per cent to 62.2m, and were supported by a 20 per cent rise in US sales to 9.6 million US dollars (6m).