Burberry
ActiveOverview
Burberry Group plc is a British luxury fashion house founded in 1856, specializing in ready-to-wear apparel, outerwear like trench coats, leather accessories, footwear, and scarves. Headquartered in London and listed on the London Stock Exchange as a FTSE 100 constituent, it maintains category authority in outerwear and emphasizes its heritage in design, innovation, and craftsmanship.123
History
Burberry was founded in 1856 by Thomas Burberry in Basingstoke, Hampshire, England, initially focusing on outdoor attire and introducing gabardine fabric in 1879. It expanded with a London shop in 1891 and grew through licensing agreements in the 1970s, particularly in Asia and Europe. In 1997, corporate reorganization under new leadership restored its luxury positioning, leading to a successful IPO in 2001.1
Product Lines
| Product Line | Positioning | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Trench Coats | Iconic outerwear heritage | $1,000 - $3,500 |
| Suits & Tailoring | British formal wear | $1,200 - $4,000 |
| Sneakers | Luxury casual footwear | $400 - $900 |
| Sunglasses | Designer eyewear | $200 - $500 |
| Scarves | Signature check pattern accessories | $300 - $800 |
| Leather Goods | Handbags and accessories | $500 - $3,000 |
Manufacturing
Burberry designs and distributes products globally, with historical manufacturing in the UK and expansion through licensing agreements with international manufacturers since the 1970s. Current production details indicate a mix of in-house and outsourced facilities, focusing on craftsmanship in key categories like outerwear.12
Notable Products
- Trench Coat - Water-resistant gabardine outerwear patented in 1879, signature of the brand.
- Check Scarf - Nova check pattern accessory introduced in the early 20th century.
- Gabardine Fabric - Breathable, waterproof material invented by founder Thomas Burberry.
- Weekend Bag - Canvas and leather holdall from 1901, favored by explorers.
- Horseferry Sneakers - Modern luxury sneakers reflecting contemporary collections.
Reputation
Burberry is recognized by fashion professionals for its heritage in outerwear and British craftsmanship, with strong brand equity from innovations like gabardine. Enthusiasts praise its iconic trench coats and check patterns, though past criticisms include over-licensing in the 1970s-1990s leading to diluted exclusivity. Recent strategic plans like 'Burberry Forward' aim to restore desire through disciplined luxury positioning.12