FASHION retailer Ted Baker says strong UK and international spring and summer clothing sales helped deliver an 18 per cent rise in group sales.

The improvement in the 19-week period to June 7 was helped by a 9.5 per cent increase in trading space as the firm opened new stores in Glasgow and at Heathrow's Terminal Two.

The company launched its first store in Glasgow in 1988.

Reatil sales for the period were 15.8 per cent above the same time last year, with wholesale sales 25.2 per cent higher, reflecting a good performance from its UK and export business and a strong performance from its US wholesale business.

Bosses said internationally, the group opened outlets in Philadelphia and California in the US, with concessions in France, Spain and Tokyo, and a joint venture outlet in Brisbane, Australia.

The business now has more than 180 UK stores and a further 60 across Europe, the US and the Middle-East and Asia.

Ray Kelvin CBE, founder and chief executive, said: "The Ted Baker brand has continued to perform very well and we have delivered further progress across our global markets and distribution channels.

"We are pleased with the performance of our spring and summer collections both in the UK and internationally, which is testament to our skilled and passionate team.

"Commitment to quality, design and attention to detail underpins everything we do and we remain focused on our strategy to further develop Ted Baker as a global lifestyle brand."

The firm, which sells classic garments with a quirky twist, said it performed well in established markets, as well as continued progress in newer markets.

The high street retailer added its online business continued to grow, with sales rising 48.1 per cent over the period.

Gross margins were in line with its expectations and last year.