Retail news

Departing directors and aggressive investors mean trouble for Ted Baker

14-12-2019 17:00

The fashion retailer has been blighted by scandal, but the current crisis in styles and sales has deeper rootsTed Baker has been a jack-the-lad character in the City for the past 30 years. The story goes that “Ted”, the presumed alter ego of company founder Ray Kelvin, got the idea for a global brand “while fishing” in 1987. And he never looked back.UK consumers were drawn to his quirky sense of humour and style, and wanted to buy his sexy dresses and dapper suits. One st

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The jackets that keep you both warm … and green

14-12-2019 15:35

Fashion brands focus on their eco-credentials after warnings about polyester fabrics and unethically-sourced downThe padded jacket is now as ubiquitous on high streets as cracked pavement slabs and Greggs. Billed as an effective way to stay in your duvet all day, it is, however, less forgiving when it comes to its ethical credentials. Many puffers are made from petroleum-based fabrics and filled with duck and goose down from dubious sources.But alternatives are now appearing. One option for the

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Chilango 'burrito bond' investors could lose 90% of their cash

14-12-2019 08:00

Bondholders of the Mexican food chain may only get 10p in the pound backSmall investors who sank millions of pounds into a “burrito bond” scheme were this week told they could face losing 90% of their money – or 99% if the company goes into administration. The Guardian revealed on 14 November that UK-based Mexican restaurant chain Chilango was in talks about the future of the business.That was a blow for the hundreds of people who, as recently as April, signed up for its multim

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Toy story: Hamleys hopes revamp will boost its fortunes

14-12-2019 07:00

Retailer plans US expansion and overhaul of Regent Street branch in battle to compete with key rivals Fake snow is falling and a hyperactive elf is hopping around on the pavement, geeing up the crowd pressed against the windows of Hamleys toy store, which is filled with a Christmas scene of sledding Beanie Babies.“It’s an institution,” says Tamara Maddrell, an Australian tourist trying to restrain her young sons, who each have £25 to spend and are in ecstasy as the countd

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