Shortly after news that Next and Frasers Group may be interested in Ted Baker’s UK and Europe retail assets, it has emerged that the brand’s US partner could also be looking at them.

OSL has operated Ted Baker’s American business since last year and a Sky news report said it’s the “frontrunner to take on its collapsed European operations including dozens of British shops”.

Administrator Teneo said this week that a third of Ted Baker’s UK stores will close after its UK and Europe retail operation — No Ordinary Designer label (NODL) — collapsed.

While the Ted Baker brand is owned by Authentic Brands Group, it operates around the world via a series of partners and AARC, the Dutch group that had the deal to run NODL for the past year, had struggled in the face of a very tough marketplace and a cash crunch.

Authentic now has to decide which company will win the rights to operate the brand’s remaining UK stores and webstore plus the European retail arm of the brand. 

As mentioned, two UK-based serial acquirers — Next and Frasers — are also believed to be interested intaking on the operation and Sky said it’s “understood that both remain in contention for a deal”.

Despite AARC’s problems, it’s clear that Ted Baker remains a prized brand with a raft of very savvy businesses believing they can turn around its chequered European fortunes.