Editorial & Advertiser disclosure

Global Banking and Finance Review is an online platform offering news, analysis, and opinion on the latest trends, developments, and innovations in the banking and finance industry worldwide. The platform covers a diverse range of topics, including banking, insurance, investment, wealth management, fintech, and regulatory issues. The website publishes news, press releases, opinion and advertorials on various financial organizations, products and services which are commissioned from various Companies, Organizations, PR agencies, Bloggers etc. These commissioned articles are commercial in nature. This is not to be considered as financial advice and should be considered only for information purposes. It does not reflect the views or opinion of our website and is not to be considered an endorsement or a recommendation. We cannot guarantee the accuracy or applicability of any information provided with respect to your individual or personal circumstances. Please seek Professional advice from a qualified professional before making any financial decisions. We link to various third-party websites, affiliate sales networks, and to our advertising partners websites. When you view or click on certain links available on our articles, our partners may compensate us for displaying the content to you or make a purchase or fill a form. This will not incur any additional charges to you. To make things simpler for you to identity or distinguish advertised or sponsored articles or links, you may consider all articles or links hosted on our site as a commercial article placement. We will not be responsible for any loss you may suffer as a result of any omission or inaccuracy on the website.

Burberry shares drop as weak US demand overshadows China rebound

Published by Uma Rajagopal

Posted on May 18, 2023

Featured image for article about Top Stories

LONDON (Reuters) -British luxury fashion brand Burberry on Thursday reported stronger-than-expected fourth quarter sales driven by a rebound in China but continued weakness in the United States sent its shares down sharply.

Comparable store sales at the FTSE 100 group rose 16%, accelerating from 1% in the third quarter and above a company compiled consensus of 14%, with sales in its biggest market China rising 13% in the three months to April 1.

China, which is showing signs of recovery after it dropped strict COVID-19 restrictions, accounted for 30% of the business.

But shares in the group were down 6.2% in early trading after the Americas continued to be a weak spot, with quarterly sales declining 7% in Q4. It also maintained its 2024 and medium-term targets while stating it was “mindful of macroeconomic and geopolitical environment”.

Burberry shares had hit record highs in recent months on the back of optimism over the recovery in China.

Chief executive Jonathan Akeroyd said the financial performance was supported by a recovery in Mainland China and “good progress” in Burberry’s core leather goods and outwear offerings.

Europe performed strongly, with sales up 27% in the period, helped by a rise in tourists from the Middle East and Americas.

Thursday’s results follow creative director Daniel Lee’s first collection at London Fashion week in February as well as the launch of a new logo and campaign.

The company said a new collection, which includes new shoes and bags, will land in stores and online in September.

Leather goods sales were up 12% in the 2023 financial year and 15% higher in the final quarter, boosted by sales in the Lola and Frances women’s bags as well as the launch of the vintage Burberry Check line.

Full year revenues at the 167-year-old business rose 7% to 3.1 billion pounds ($3.91 billion), in line with expectations, and up from to 2.83 billion a year ago.

Burberry’s luxury rivals LVMH and Hermes have also reported a bounce in first quarter sales due to a recovery in China and wider Asian markets.

($1 = 0.7923 pounds)

(Reporting by Suban Abdulla; editing by James Davey and Kate Holton)