Approximately 30 roles are at stake as Ted Baker Design Group, managed by PDS Group, plans significant job cuts.
- These changes are set to affect the London headquarters on Cleveland Street, impacting a third of the team.
- The reductions are linked to a decrease in workload related to product design and sourcing.
- This move follows the closure of Ted Baker’s UK stores and online platform, though the cuts are separate from the administration process.
- New licensing partners have been announced for the US and Canada, despite the ongoing restructuring efforts.
A significant restructuring at Ted Baker Design Group, operated by PDS Group, is putting jobs at risk, with plans to eliminate about a third of the workforce. This development will affect approximately 30 roles at the company’s London headquarters on Cleveland Street.
These job cuts are a reaction to a diminished workload concerning product design and sourcing, and are distinct from the recent closure of Ted Baker’s UK retail operations, which were placed into administration back in March. Therefore, these layoffs are not part of the administration process, but rather a strategic response to current business conditions.
Ted Baker Design Group was founded by PDS in April 2023, serving as the global center for design and innovation for the brand. At its inception, Authentic Brands Group, the owner of Ted Baker, stated that PDS would become “a core licensee and operating partner for Ted Baker.” This partnership underscores the integral role that PDS plays in managing the brand’s design direction and operations.
Despite the challenges, Authentic Brands Group has recently introduced new licensing partners for Ted Baker in the US and Canada, which includes United Legwear & Apparel Co., Peerless, and BCI Brands. This move signals ongoing efforts to maintain and expand the brand’s international presence even amidst local operational reductions.
Neither PDS Group nor Authentic Brands Group has provided comments on the current job cut situation, reflecting a period of ongoing strategic adjustments for Ted Baker and its affiliates.
The restructuring at Ted Baker Design Group illustrates a broader strategic pivot amidst challenging industry conditions.
