NOVEMBER TRADE NEWS Woolworths confirms administration Textile maker claims innocence in fake goods case VAT cut drives Irish shoppers north of the border Woolworths close to administration Chancellor cuts VAT to 15% Retail sector 'being driven by discounts' Lingerie business to focus on wholesale operations Christmas delivers online shopping BRC warns government of pressure on retailers Wholesaler helps small retailers fight Asda Fraudster made £12,000 from eBay scam Scottish consumers 'tightening their belts' Luxury fashion brand enjoys rise in wholesale activity Weak pound benefits Northern Irish retailers Internet helps small retailers to fight downturn London sales superiority over UK 'dwindling' Cambridge retailers fight proposed Tesco opening Wholesale slump for designer clothing company Small retailers 'under threat Post Office to keep card accounts Wind forces trade fair inland Young consumers 'susceptible' to brands Christmas cheer in store for small retailers Local shops play vital community role Retailers told to expect flat sales this Xmas Keep Trade Local campaign comes to London Park Cameras bags Retailer of the Year award Retail sales plummet to three-year low Christmas 'make or break' for small retailers UK traders invited to enter Retail Week Awards Mary Queen of Shops to help Birmingham retailers Scottish Asda store criticised by local resident Low interest rate good news for small firms Markets must support each other, says CGTA Banks urged to pursue small business funding BRC to launch new online retail sales indicator Small retailers voice optimism in Kendal Portsmouth hosts bash for local newsagents Argos under fire for 222% APR store card Emergency funding for ailing small firms Stolen goods warning for Worcestershire retailers Trade News Archive November 08 October 08 September 08 August 08 July 08 June 08 May 08 April 08 March 08 February 08 January 08 Subscribe to our newsletter   Go to The Wholesaler UK Directory  17th November 2008 Wholesale slump for designer clothing company Scottish clothing and fashions company Ted Baker saw its wholesale revenue fall by 21 per cent in the 13 weeks to November 8th, it has revealed. The fashion retailer blamed the decline on unseasonably warm weather and continuing economic uncertainty among consumers. Last year, Ted Baker enjoyed record wholesale takings, but it has braced itself for a more difficult time in 2008; in the first six months of the year, the retailer posted a 12.1 per cent downturn in sales. Commenting on the results, Ray Kelvin, chief executive of Ted Baker, said: "We remain mindful of the current economic uncertainty and will continue to manage our business carefully." However, total revenues grew by 1.8 per cent, driven by a 13.3 per cent increase in retail sales. Ted Baker began wholesale operations in 1994 and supplies goods to retailers across Britain, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the US and Canada. (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd. Comment on this news story