Ted Baker
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 2 November 2026 · 6 sources
London fashion label selling menswear and womenswear.
There's no proof Ted Baker pays more than the legal minimum, which in China is below a living wage.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 2 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It doesn't show that workers are paid a living wage, and isn't certified as working towards one. On Track needs at least one of these.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.
Good requirements 2 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsJudged on where its products are made: worker rights are poorly protected in China, Vietnam and India.
- Met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Not met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that list
- Not met: High-risk raw materials (cotton and leather) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeNot traced or certified: cotton
Red flags 1
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
Ted Baker names some of the countries it makes in: China, Türkiye, India, Portugal and Vietnam. The rest is shown as where clothes and shoes are usually made.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Vietnam | Systematic violations | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| India | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
| Türkiye | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Very high |
| Portugal | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Low |
| BangladeshUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| CambodiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| IndonesiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| PakistanUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | High |
Evidence
What we found
- Independent social audits of all its main factories
- Signed the International Accord on garment factory safety Source
- Modern slavery statement
- Doesn't show where its cotton comes from. Cotton is linked to forced labour in Xinjiang and Turkmenistan, and child labour in several growing regions, so it can't be graded Good until it traces or certifies it.
- Uses leather in only a few products and doesn't show where it comes from. That doesn't count against it for Good, but the "Open supply chain" star needs all of it traced, certified or upcycled.
Research notes Ted Baker's latest modern slavery statement (2022-23) reported 137 independent factories in 19 countries, led by China, Turkey, India, Portugal and Vietnam, all audited and Sedex members, with excessive overtime in China and subcontracting in Turkey named as risks. Since its UK operator collapsed in 2024, products are designed and made by PDS Group's New Lobster under licence, and no newer statement or factory list has been published. It signed the Bangladesh Accord in 2021 but has no living wage commitment.
What independent sources say
| Source | Result | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Fashion Transparency Index (Fashion Revolution) | Listed | Scored 26% in the 2023 Fashion Transparency Index. View |
| Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report | Not listed | Ted Baker was not assessed in the 2026 Ethical Fashion Report. View |
| UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry | Listed | Last modern slavery statement covers 2022-23: 137 Tier 1 factories in 19 countries, all audited; no newer statement found after the 2024 administration of its UK operator. View |
| Business & Human Rights Resource Centre | Listed | Company profile lists no allegations and no response requests. View |
Sources and actions
Sources 6
Show all 6 sources
- List of Accord brand signatories, 21 April 2023 · search the archive · Ted Baker listed as an International Accord signatory (not the Pakistan Accord)
- Ted Baker plc - Shop Ethical · search the archive · Fashion Transparency Index 2023 score 26/100
- Ted Baker - Business & Human Rights Resource Centre · search the archive · No allegations or response requests recorded
- Former Barbour MD to lead Ted Baker wholesale business in 5-year deal (Retail Gazette) · search the archive · PDS Group's New Lobster handles Ted Baker design, development and production globally after 2024 administration
- Authentic Brands Group signs agreements for Ted Baker in Europe (MR Magazine) · search the archive · 2023: PDS Group named core licensee for clothing, shirts, dresses and handbags
Published by Ted Baker or its owner
- Ted Baker Modern Slavery Statement FY2023 · search the archive · 137 Tier 1 factories in 19 countries; top: China, Turkey, India, Portugal, Vietnam; 100% audited; Accord 2021; cotton mill mapping; tannery forms
Company details
- Headquarters
- United Kingdom
- Last researched
- 2 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Ted Baker ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/ted-baker, last researched 2 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Better-graded suits and tailoring
No suits and tailoring brand selling new goods is Good yet. These are the strongest so far. Second-hand and refurbished goods create no new factory work, so they're Good by rule and come first.
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Ted Baker.