RNS Number:4371Q
Ted Baker PLC
02 October 2003


2 October 2003

                                 Ted Baker plc
               Interim Results for the 28 weeks to 9 August 2003

Highlights

  * Group turnover up 31.7% to #41.9m (2002: #31.8m)

  * Retail sales up 26.0% to #27.1m (2002: #21.5m)

  * Wholesale sales up 43.6% to #14.8m (2002: #10.3m) driven by a strong
    performance across all collections and earlier phasing of deliveries
    compared to last year

  * Continued progression of licence income, up 21.4% at #1.1m (2002: #0.9m)

  * Profit before tax increased by 53.5% to #4.6m (2002: #3.0m)

  * Basic earnings per share up 48.1% at 7.7p (2002: 5.2p)

  * Interim dividend up 10.3% to 3.2p per share (2002: 2.9p per share)


Commenting, Ray Kelvin, Chief Executive, said:

"I am pleased to report strong growth in both sales and profits for Ted Baker in
the first half of the year. This reflects an excellent performance across all
areas of the business and underpins the success of our strategy of developing
the appeal of Ted Baker as a global brand. While current trading is strong and
we are confident of a positive outcome for the year, the second part of the
year, including the Christmas period, remains key to our overall performance."


Enquiries:
Ted Baker plc                         Tel: 020 7796 4133 on 2 October 2003 only
Ray Kelvin, Chief Executive           Tel: 020 7255 4800 thereafter
Lindsay Page, Finance Director

Hudson Sandler                        Tel:020 7796 4133
Piers Hooper
Noemie de Andia
Sandrine Boussard


Visit Ted's award winning e-commerce site at www.tedbaker.co.uk and click on  '
Visit Ted's World' to be taken to our investor relations website.

Print resolution images are available for the media to view and download free of
charge from www.vismedia.co.uk.


CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

I am pleased to report strong growth in both sales and profits for Ted Baker in
the first half of the year. This performance underpins the success of our
strategy of developing Ted Baker as a global brand through the expansion of our
collections and the careful management of our three distribution channels,
retail, wholesale and licensing and reflects the personality of the Ted Baker
brand and the high quality of our teams throughout the business. Ted Baker
continues to pursue a policy of careful brand management and growth by extending
the breadth of our collections, expanding our three distinct distribution
channels and developing our presence in key overseas markets, especially the
United States.

FINANCIAL RESULTS

Group turnover increased by 31.7% to #41.9m (2002: #31.8m) in the 28 weeks to 9
August 2003, driven by growth in both the retail and wholesale businesses.
Operating profit increased by 48.1% to #4.8m (2002: #3.3m).

The retail gross margin was in line with last year while the wholesale gross
margin was slightly lower due to a change in the sales mix. The change in sales
mix between retail and wholesale and the lower wholesale gross margin has
resulted in a slight decrease in the composite gross margin to 57.4% (2002:
58.3%).

Profit before tax for the period improved by 53.5% to #4.6m (2002: #3.0m). Basic
earnings per share increased by 48.1% to 7.7p (2002: 5.2p).

DIVIDENDS

The Board has declared an increased interim dividend of 3.2p per share (2002:
2.9p) payable on 29 November 2003 to shareholders on the register at the close
of business on 7 November 2003.

RETAIL

The retail division had a very strong first half reflecting increased trading
space, the appeal of our collections, the quality of our retail teams, the high
service levels they provide and the continued appeal of our store environment.
Retail sales were up 26.0% to #27.1m (2002: #21.5m) with strong growth in all
collections. Retail gross margins remain strong and were in line with last
year's performance at 65.7% (2002: 65.7%).

We continue to transform our store portfolio to reflect the breadth of our
collections. In May 2003 we relocated our King's Road store from a 1,200 sq ft
store to a 2,300 sq ft store in the new Duke of York's Square development and
are pleased with its performance to date. During the period we opened one outlet
store in Bicester and five concessions in leading department stores, bringing
the total number of retail locations to 77.

We remain encouraged by the performance of our overseas stores, especially in
the United States, which remains our primary strategic focus in the overseas
market.

Average retail square footage increased by 37.6% to 93,991 sq ft (2002: 68,317
sq ft). Sales per square foot were #289 (2002: #315).  Excluding overseas stores
that generate a lower yield than our UK stores and Floral Street, where we
anticipated a lower than average yield, sales per square foot were #329 (2002:
#315).

WHOLESALE

The wholesale division remains a key distribution channel for the Ted Baker
brand and we continue to expand the ranges distributed through this channel. The
wholesale division performed very strongly over the period with wholesale sales
up by 43.6 % to #14.8m (2002: #10.3m). This positive result reflects the
continued success of all of our collections, notably Endurance and
childrenswear, as well as the earlier phasing of deliveries compared to the same
period last year. We estimate that the earlier phasing of Autumn / Winter stock
contributed an additional #1.8m of sales in the first half compared to last
year.

Gross margins were 42.1% (2002: 42.9%), reflecting changes in the wholesale mix.
Underlying margins by collection were increased or maintained.

LICENCE INCOME

Developing our licence income remains a key element of our brand management
strategy. We continue to work in close partnership with our licence partners to
create exceptional collections of accessories, fragrance and footwear, and
increase the global reach of our brand. We are pleased with the growth of our
licence income which increased by 21.4% to #1.1m (2002: #0.9m) over the period.
Our key US wholesale licence continues to make encouraging progress despite a
difficult economic and political backdrop.

We are now seeing the benefits of moving our footwear business to a shoe
specialist licence partner as wholesale footwear sales are running at twice the
level achieved in the same period last year.

We are pleased with the continued growth of our Skinwear licence which was
partly driven by the new "M" for men and "W" for women fragrances launched last
Autumn.

COLLECTIONS

Sales of Ted Baker Menswear in the period increased by 30.2% and Womenswear also
enjoyed a strong performance with sales increasing by 22.1%. Womenswear
represented 41.1% of our total sales (2002: 44.4%). Sales of other collections,
comprising Childrenswear, Homeware and Footwear, were #3.5m (2002: #1.5m). Other
collections now represent 8.4% of sales (2002: 4.6%).

CURRENT TRADING AND PROSPECTS

Trading has continued to be strong since the end of the first half. In the seven
weeks to 27 September 2003, retail sales were 21.1% ahead of the same period
last year and we are pleased with the initial reaction to our winter
collections. Wholesale sales were also 36.6% ahead of last year, reflecting the
continuing earlier phasing of deliveries.  We expect the positive impact of the
earlier phasing of wholesale deliveries in the first half to be corrected in the
second half.

We anticipate a higher composite gross margin in the second half resulting in
full year composite gross margins being in line with last year.

Since the period end we have continued to manage our store portfolio to reflect
the expansion of the brand.  At the beginning of September we closed our two
stores in Manchester (Triangle and King Street) and relocated to a larger store
in the Shambles, off Exchange Square in Manchester.  The Shambles store is our
second largest store to date and hosts the full range of Ted Baker collections
in an exciting store environment.  Initial trading since opening has been
exceptionally encouraging.  We also expect to open a further nine concessions in
leading department stores in the second half.

We continue to expand our collections and reinforce our brand positioning with
the launch of the Global Collection in Autumn 2003. This limited edition
collection is the most exclusive and fashionable Ted Baker collection to date
and we are pleased with the initial reaction from our customers. The Global
collection is a men only collection which is available at selected Ted Baker
stores, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols, London.

While current trading is strong and we are confident of a positive outcome for
the year, the second half of the year, including the Christmas period, remains
key to our overall performance.

Robert Breare
2 October 2003


Consolidated Profit and Loss Account
for the 28 weeks ended 9 August 2003
                                                         unaudited     unaudited       audited
                                                          28 weeks      28 weeks      52 weeks
                                                             ended         ended         ended
                                                          9 August     10 August    25 January
                                                              2003          2002          2003
                                                             #'000         #'000         #'000
                                                Note

Turnover                                                    41,899       31,819        70,188
Cost of sales                                             (17,862)      (13,268)      (28,252)
                                                        ----------    ----------    ----------
Gross profit                                                24,037       18,551        41,936
Distribution costs                                        (14,528)      (11,251)      (23,644)
Administration expenses                                    (5,921)       (4,948)       (9,102)
Impairment of fixed assets                                      -             -        (1,551)
Other operating income                                       1,226          898         2,271
                                                        ----------    ----------    ----------
Operating profit                                             4,814        3,250         9,910

Net interest payable                                         (173)         (226)         (425)
                                                        ----------    ----------    ----------
Profit on ordinary activities                                4,641        3,024         9,485
before taxation

Tax on profit on ordinary activities                       (1,478)         (915)       (3,033)
                                                        ----------    ----------    ----------
Profit on ordinary activities                                3,163        2,109          6,452
after taxation
Minority interests - equity                                     18            29           104
Dividends paid and proposed                                (1,338)       (1,196)       (3,600)
                                                        ----------    ----------    ----------
Retained profit for the period                               1,843           942         2,956
                                                        ==========    ==========    ==========
Basic earnings per share                      2               7.7p         5.2p         15.9p
Adjusted basic earnings per share                               -             -         18.6p
Diluted basic earnings per share              2               7.5p         5.1p         15.6p



Consolidated Balance Sheet
as at 9 August 2003
                                                         unaudited     unaudited        audited
                                                          9 August     10 August     25 January
                                                              2003          2002           2003
                                                             #'000         #'000          #'000

                                                Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets                                             16,166        13,240         15,375
Investments                                                    993           414            349
                                                          --------      --------       --------
                                                            17,159        13,654         15,724
                                                          --------      --------       --------
Current assets
Stock                                                       16,729        13,384         13,937
Debtors                                                      9,582         7,239          6,975
Cash at bank and in hand                                     2,602         1,788          2,778
                                                          --------      --------       --------
                                                            28,913        22,411         23,690

Creditors : amounts falling due within                    (20,734)      (14,770)       (16,456)
one year

                                                          --------      --------       --------
Net current assets                                           8,179         7,641          7,234
                                                          --------      --------       --------
Total assets less current liabilities                       25,338        21,295         22,958

Creditors : amounts falling due after                      (4,000)       (4,000)        (4,000)
more than one year
Provisions for liabilities and charges                       (219)         (430)          (123)

                                                          --------      --------       --------
Net assets                                                  21,119        16,865         18,835
                                                          --------      --------       --------

Capital and reserves
Called up share capital                       3              2,090         2,072          2,072
Share premium                                 3              2,339         1,412          1,412
Profit and loss account                       3             16,769        13,369         15,411
                                                          --------      --------       --------
Equity shareholders' funds                                  21,198        16,853         18,895

Minority interests - equity                   3               (79)            12           (60)
                                                          --------      --------       --------
Total capital and reserves                                  21,119        16,865         18,835
                                                          ========      ========       ========


Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
for the 28 weeks ended 9 August 2003
                                                         unaudited     unaudited       audited
                                                          28 weeks      28 weeks      52 weeks
                                                             ended         ended         Ended
                                                          9 August     10 August    25 January
                                                              2003          2002          2003
                                                             #'000         #'000         #'000

                                                Note

Net cash inflow from operating activities     4a             1,826           735        13,632

Returns on investments and servicing of
finance


Interest received                                                3            50            55
Interest paid                                                (154)         (248)         (502)

Taxation                                                   (1,855)       (1,259)       (3,215)


Capital expenditure                           4d           (2,459)       (1,920)       (7,949)


Equity dividends paid                                      (2,404)       (2,111)       (3,313)
                                                        ----------    ----------    ----------
Cash outflow before financing                              (5,043)       (4,753)       (1,292)

Shares issued                                                  472           225           225
Purchase of shares                                           (693)             -             -
                                                        ----------    ----------    ----------
Decrease in cash                                           (5,264)       (4,528)       (1,067)
                                                        ==========    ==========    ==========



Notes to the Interim Financial Statements

     
1.   Basis of preparation

     The consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared under the
     historical cost convention and in accordance with applicable accounting
     standards. The accounting policies are consistent with those set out in the
     financial statements of Ted Baker plc for the 52 weeks ended 25 January 
     2003.

     The financial information in this report does not constitute statutory 
     accounts and does not comprise the group's financial statements for the 52 
     weeks ended 25 January 2003. The financial statements for Ted Baker plc for 
     the 52 weeks ended 25 January 2003 have been delivered to the Registrar of 
     Companies. The auditors' report on these financial statements was 
     unqualified and did not include a statement under Section 237 (2) or (3) of 
     the Companies Act 1985.

2.   Earnings per share

     Earnings per share for the 28 weeks ended 9 August 2003, the 28 weeks ended 
     10 August 2002 and the 52 weeks ended 25 January 2003 have been calculated 
     on profit on ordinary activities after taxation and on the weighted average 
     number of ordinary shares outstanding, being 41,148,386 ordinary shares for 
     the 28 weeks ended 9 August 2003, 40,981,573 shares for the 28 weeks ended 
     10 August 2002 and 40,994,540 shares for the 52 weeks ended 25 January 
     2003. Own shares held by employee benefit trusts have been eliminated from 
     the weighted number of ordinary shares and dividend income arising from 
     these holdings has been eliminated from the profit on ordinary activities 
     after taxation and minority interests.

     Diluted earnings per share are based on a weighted average number of shares 
     of 42,178,686 for the 28 weeks ended 9 August 2003, 41,810,907 for the 28 
     weeks ended 10 August 2002 and 41,883,574 for the 52 weeks ended 25 January 
     2003.
     
3.   Capital and reserves
                                                   Share          Share     Profit and loss      Minority
                                                 capital        premium             account     interests
                                                   #'000          #'000               #'000         #'000
At 25 January 2003                                 2,072          1,412              15,411          (60)
Retained profit for the period                         -              -               1,843          (18)
Shares issued                                         18            927               (473)             -
Exchange rate movement                                 -              -                (12)           (1)
                                              ----------     ----------          ----------    ----------
At 9 August 2003                                   2,090          2,339              16,769          (79)
                                              ==========     ==========          ==========    ==========

     
4.   Notes to the Consolidated Cashflow Statement
     for the 28 weeks ended  9 August 2003
                                                        unaudited       unaudited         audited
                                                         28 weeks        28 weeks        52 weeks
                                                            ended           ended           ended
                                                         9 August       10 August      25 January
                                                             2003            2002            2003
                                                            #'000           #'000           #'000
a) Reconciliation of operating profit to net
cash inflow from operating activities

Operating profit                                            4,814           3,250           9,910
Impairment of fixed assets                                      -               -           1,551
Depreciation charges                                        1,751           1,554           3,093
Loss on sale of tangible fixed assets                           6               9               9
Decrease in own shares                                         49               -              97
Increase in stock                                         (2,782)         (1,074)         (1,654)
Increase in debtors                                       (2,710)         (2,195)         (1,135)
Increase / (decrease) in creditors                            698           (809)           1,761
                                                       ----------      ----------      ----------
                                                            1,826             735          13,632
                                                       ==========      ==========      ==========
b) Analysis of movements in cash
during the year

Balance at beginning of the period                        (1,222)           (125)           (125)
Net cash outflow                                          (5,264)         (4,528)         (1,067)
Exchange difference                                            11            (12)            (30)
                                                       ----------      ----------      ----------
Balance at end of period                                  (6,475)         (4,665)         (1,222)
                                                       ==========      ==========      ==========
c) Analysis of the balance of cash as shown
in the balance sheet

Cash at bank and in hand                                    2,602           1,788           2,778
Bank overdraft                                            (5,077)         (2,453)               -
Debt due after more than one year                         (4,000)         (4,000)         (4,000)
                                                       ----------      ----------      ----------
                                                          (6,475)         (4,665)         (1,222)
                                                       ==========      ==========      ==========
d) Capital expenditure

Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets                 (2,492)         (1,952)         (7,949)
Receipts from sale of tangible fixed assets                    33               -               -
Sale of own shares                                              -              32               -
                                                       ----------      ----------      ----------
                                                          (2,459)         (1,920)         (7,949)
                                                       ==========      ==========      ==========
     
5.   Interim Report

     This interim report will be sent by post to all registered shareholders. 
     Copies will be available to the public from the Company Secretary at the 
     registered office: Ted Baker plc, The Ugly Brown Building, 6a St Pancras 
     Way, London NW1 OTB.


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