Burberry in brief
- Rank: #14 of 100 in UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026; #1 of 5 in Luxury & Fashion.
- WCRC Power Score: 69.04 out of 100.
- Founded: 1856, by Thomas Burberry.
- Owner: Burberry Group plc, London, England.
- Leadership: Joshua Schulman, Chief Executive Officer.
- Latest revenue: £2.4bn revenue (FY2026, year to Mar 2026, -1.6%), as per company filings.
What makes Burberry powerful
Burberry is one of the few British luxury names with genuine global reach, and in 2026 it showed that its back-to-heritage strategy is starting to work. Under chief executive Joshua Schulman's "Burberry Forward" plan, the brand has refocused on the categories that made it famous, above all outerwear and scarves, and on the check that makes its products recognisable at a glance.
The recovery is clearest in profit. In the 52 weeks to 28 March 2026, adjusted operating profit rose to £160m from £26m a year earlier, even though revenue edged down to £2.42bn from £2.46bn. Returning a heritage brand to growth takes time, but a sharper focus on trench coats and British identity gives Burberry a clearer story to tell luxury shoppers than it has had for several years.
Burberry's adjusted operating profit rose from £26m to £160m in its 2026 financial year.
Why Burberry ranks #14
Burberry ranks 14th with a WCRC Power Score of 69.04, between Dettol above and JCB below. Positioning and recall (80) is its great strength, built on the trench coat and a globally recognised check. Sustainability and governance (68) and Trust (66) are respectable, but Product and innovation (64) and especially Digital and financial (58) hold it back, reflecting revenue that slipped to £2.42bn even as adjusted operating profit recovered to £160m.
The Achilles' heel
Burberry's turnaround is real but narrow. Revenue slipped to £2.42bn from £2.46bn in the year to March 2026, so the recovery so far has come from costs and margins rather than sales growth. The company is exposed to tourist spending and wider luxury demand, which can shift quickly with economic and political shocks, and profit margins remain well below where they were before the downturn.
The 2026 story
Burberry's 2026 has been about proving the turnaround. In May it reported results for the 52 weeks to 28 March 2026 and described the business as being at an inflection point: revenue of £2.42bn, slightly lower than a year earlier, but adjusted operating profit up to £160m from £26m and a return to annual profit. Chief executive Joshua Schulman credited the Burberry Forward strategy and its renewed focus on outerwear and other British classics.
Pillar profile
Provisional desk scores out of 100, for the WCRC Business Intelligence Unit to validate.
Versus its nearest rivals
Questions people ask
What rank is Burberry in WCRC's UK's Most Powerful Brands 2026?
Burberry ranks #14 of 100 in WCRC's UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026, with a WCRC Power Score of 69.04 out of 100.
What makes Burberry powerful?
A heritage of outerwear and a globally recognised check give Burberry instant recognition, and its renewed focus on those British classics is restoring growth and profit.
What is Burberry's revenue?
£2.4bn revenue (FY2026, year to Mar 2026, -1.6%), as per company filings.
Who founded and owns Burberry?
Burberry was founded in 1856 by Thomas Burberry. It is owned by Burberry Group plc and based in London, England.
Who leads Burberry?
Joshua Schulman, Chief Executive Officer.
What is Burberry's biggest challenge?
Revenue is still shrinking at reported rates and the recovery depends on fragile luxury demand and tourist flows.
Also featured in
- Most powerful Luxury & Fashion brands
- UK's 50 Most Valuable Brands
- Iconic British Heritage Brands
- British Global Powerhouses
- Most Famous British Brands
- Most powerful brands in England
Key facts
| Brand | Burberry |
|---|---|
| Company / owner | Burberry Group plc |
| Headquarters | London, England, United Kingdom |
| Founded | 1856 |
| Founder(s) | Thomas Burberry |
| Leadership | Joshua Schulman, Chief Executive Officer |
| Latest revenue | £2.4bn revenue (FY2026, year to Mar 2026, -1.6%), as per company filings |
| Sector | Luxury & Fashion |
| Website | burberryplc.com |
| Home country | United Kingdom |
Sources
- Revenue figure published by Burberry Group plc
- Company website, official announcements and press releases
- Published interviews and statements by the leadership
- WCRC Business Intelligence Unit research: consumer sentiment, ratings and reviews, search demand, media and social data
