Businessweek

Burberry Group plc engages in the designing, sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution of apparel and accessories through its own retail stores and wholesale customers worldwide. The company also licenses third parties to manufacture and distribute products using the ‘Burberry’ brand. The company’s products include apparel for women, men and children and accessories, such as handbags, scarves, small leather goods and silks. It also offers quilted coats, duffle coats, rubber-backed raincoats, kilt skirts, and cashmere scarfs. Additionally, it licenses third parties to manufacture and distribute products using, the Burberry brand. The company also maintains licensing relationships in specialized product categories, such as eyewear and fragrance. The company sells its products in Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East through its own directly operated stores and wholesale customers; licensing activity is also carried out, principally in Japan. At 30 September 2004 Burberry operated 151 retail locations consisting of 57 Burberry stores, 70 concessions and 24 outlet stores. Its wholesale customers include department stores, specialty retailers and franchise partners. Significant Events Burberry Group plc has formed a joint venture covering parts of the Middle East with its franchisee, The Jashanmal Group. The joint venture has created a new company, Burberry Middle East LLC, headquartered in Dubai. Burberry Middle East would manage all Burberry retail and wholesale distribution within the United Arab Emirates markets, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as Qatar, Oman and Kuwait. Burberry Group plc has signed the joint venture agreement with its licensing partners, Sanyo Shokai, Ltd. and Mitsui & Co., Ltd., in Japan. The venture, majority owned by Burberry, would develop the retail distribution of Burberry's international non-apparel products in Japan. History Burberry Group plc was founded in 1856.