Kevin JohnsonBurberry is a leading luxury fashion house based in London, England. Thomas Burberry founded the apparel business in 1856. By 1870, Burberry had nurtured a reputation as an outdoor apparel designer. The brand outfitted renowned adventurers and mountain climbers in the 1910s and 1920s. Its signature trench coats with Burberry check lining served British officers during WWI.
In February 2023, Burberry introduced a new logo and brand culture to reflect its “modern take on British luxury” direction. The brand also unveiled new accessories at London Fashion Week in September 2023. The collection emphasizes British heritage, reinforcing the brand’s “British Burberry Revolution” campaign. [1]
Burberry offers trench coats, outerwear, shoes, casual wear, leather accessories, perfumes, and cosmetics. In the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, the company expanded globally and increased its sales and profits by partnering with leading manufacturers. Its partners produced suits, trousers, shirts, sportswear, and accessories for all genders and ages to complement the brand’s British collection. In October 2023, the brand released Tricker’s for Burberry as part of its winter 2023 collection. Burberry faces stiff competition from Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, Christian Dior, Armani, Hermes, Chanel, and Versace. [2]
Here is an in-depth analysis of Burberry’s top competitors and alternatives:
1. Louis Vuitton
Year founded: 1854
Headquarter: Paris, France
Louis Vuitton is a luxury fashion house from France and part of the LVMH Group since its merger with Moet Hennessy in 1987. LVMH is the world’s largest luxury firm, with over 196,000 employees and six iconic fashion brands. In Q2 2023, LVMH reported a slowdown in revenue growth and lost its status as Europe’s most valuable company to Novo Nordisk. [3]
Louis Vuitton offers high-end fashionwear, jewelry, perfumes, and leather accessories. The brand capitalized on the luxury boom and doubled its size in five years to become the world’s first fashion house to exceed €20 billion in annual sales. However, the company now faces the challenge of maintaining its growth while protecting its luxury cachet. Still, Louis Vuitton is the top Burberry competitor and alternative. [4]
2. Prada
Year founded: 1913
Headquarter: Milan, Italy
Prada is an Italian luxury fashion house offering ready-to-wear apparel, shoes, leather handbags, and accessories. It operates in the eyewear and fragrances sector through licensing agreements. In H1 2023, Prada’s sales increased 62%. Its Miu Miu brand, targeted at younger consumers, posted a 50% surge in revenue. [5]
Prada has around 13,700 employees, over 600 stores, and 24 factories. In April 2023, Prada announced its €60-million expansion plan as it prepares for an IPO on the Milan Stock Exchange. The company will hire 400 new employees, double the size of its Umbria factory to 9,000 square meters, and deploy automatic machines in the Levane plant to boost sneaker production. Prada is one of the top competitors for Burberry. [6]
3. Gucci
Year founded: 1921
Headquarter: Florence, Italy
Gucci is a fashion brand from Italy owned by the Kering Group. The company sells its luxury fashionwear, leather goods, and accessories globally, with a strong market presence in the US, UK, and Japan. As of January 2023, Gucci operated 528 stores.
Gucci is a well-known brand in the global fashion market. The company plans to expand in India to capitalize on its 800,000-dollar millionaires splashing out on luxury products. According to Reuters, Gucci, Burberry, and LVMH have signed leases for stores in Mukesh Ambani’s new mall inside Reliance’s business and cultural hub in Mumbai. Gucci is one of the top competitors for Burberry. [7]
4. Christian Dior
Year founded: 1946
Headquarter: Paris, France
Christian Dior is a multinational luxury fashion company and part of the LVMH Group. The brand increased its website traffic by 48% in 2023. In September 2023, Dior’s couturier Maria Chiuri crafted a subtle collection for Paris Fashion Week with a statement on feminism. [8]
Dior offers ready-to-wear apparel, footwear, leather products, fashion accessories, fragrances, and makeup. In August 2023, the brand accounted for 13.8% of global online search interest and overtook Gucci to top Luxe Digital’s luxury brands online ranking. Burberry was tenth on the list. Dior is one of the best alternatives to Burberry for online shoppers. [9]
5. Armani
Year founded: 1975
Headquarter: Milan, Italy
Armani is a luxury fashion house from Italy founded by Giorgio Armani. The brand designs and sells haute couture, ready-to-wear, leather products, shoes, accessories, and home interiors. In 2022, Armani had over 8,000 employees and around 500 stores globally.
Armani offers its products under several labels, including Armani Jeans, Armani Prive, and Giorgio Armani. In September 2023, 89-year-old Giorgio Armani showcased his new “vibrations collection” at the Milan fashion show. The iconic designer revisited his lifelong interest in science by blending iridescent silks, undulating 3D layers, and vibrant color display. Armani is a formidable competitor for Burberry. [10]
6. Hermes
Year founded: 1837
Headquarter: Paris, France
Hermes is a French luxury fashion design company. The brand offers ready-to-wear, leather goods, accessories, home furnishings, perfumes, jewelry, and watches. In 2022, Hermes had around 19,600 employees.
In the past three years, Hermes has opened ten manufacturing facilities dedicated to leather goods. In April 2023, the company inaugurated its 21st leather accessories factory in Rouen, France, with two openings planned for May and June 2023 and three plants under construction. Hermes is a fast-growing competitor for Burberry. [11]
7. Chanel
Year founded: 1910
Headquarter: London, United Kingdom
Chanel is a luxury fashion house owned by the Wertheimer family. The company specializes in women’s ready-to-wear, luxury goods, and accessories. In 2023, Chanel recorded a 26% growth in website traffic and maintained its third position in Luxe Digital’s ranking of the most popular luxury brands online. [12]
Chanel is globally recognized for its iconic products, including Chanel No. 5 perfume and the Classic Flap Bag. In 2022, the company opened 565 new retail stores in 39 countries. The fashion house will invest $1.3 billion in 2023-2024 to bolster brand equity and expand its market presence worldwide. Chanel is one of the best alternatives to Burberry. [13]
8. Versace
Year founded: 1978
Headquarter: Milan, Italy
Versace is an Italian luxury fashion company offering stylish ready-to-wear and accessories. In September 2022, Versace introduced a new store concept at its Paris, Shanghai, and Tokyo boutiques. The company will implement the blueprint across all 212 boutiques worldwide and open new stores in major global cities to expand its retail network. [14]
Versace offers ready-to-wear clothing, accessories, jewelry, watches, fragrances, eyewear, and home furnishings. In August 2023, Tapestry acquired Versace’s parent company, Capri Holdings, for $8.5 billion. The acquisition brings iconic luxury labels like Coach, Versace, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, and Jimmy Choo under Tapestry, creating a new global fashion powerhouse. As a Tapestry brand, Versace has enough resources to compete with and poach customers from Burberry. [15]
9. Coach New York
Year founded: 1941
Headquarter: New York City, New York
Coach is an American luxury fashion house that features ready-to-wear, leather handbags, luggage, and accessories. In January 2023, the brand operated around 950 stores across 21 countries.
Coach launched Y2K-inspired campaigns and partnered with Camila Mendes, Koki, and Lil Nas X in 2022. The brand also changed its message from “accessible luxury” to “expressive luxury” to attract Millennials and Gen-Zs. In H1 2023, consumers under 25 increased their spending on Coach by 10%. Coach is a worthy alternative to Burberry. [16]
10. Dolce & Gabbana
Year founded: 1985
Headquarter: Milan, Italy
Dolce & Gabbana is a luxury fashion brand offering ready-to-wear, handbags, accessories, and cosmetics. In July 2023, D&G showcased its Alta Moda fall collection at the UNESCO World Heritage site in Puglia. The new assortment celebrates ancient handcraft techniques and crocheting traditions. [17]
Dolce & Gabbana diversified its portfolio to offer perfumes, homeware, and NFT collections in the metaverse. In June 2023, D&G announced plans to establish residential housing in the US and Spain and a hotel in the Maldives to reinforce the lifestyle element in its DNA. Dolce & Gabbana is a fast-evolving competitor for Burberry. [18]
11. Yves Saint Laurent (YSL)
Year founded: 1961
Headquarter: Paris, France
Saint Laurent is a leading luxury fashion house from France, part of the Kering Group. Its portfolio includes haute couture, ready-to-wear, leather accessories, and footwear. In 2023, a new book on YSL’s founder, Yves Saint Laurent, was released and highlighted how the iconic designer masterminded silhouettes. [19]
Saint Laurent provides beauty products under the YSL Beauty label; however, the license was sold to L’Oréal in 2008 for $1 billion. In February 2023, Saint Laurent’s parent company launched Kering Beauty to develop beauty and fragrance lines for its brands. This offering can help Saint Laurent poach some customers from Burberry. [20]
12. Kate Spade New York
Year founded: 1993
Headquarter: New York City, New York
Kate Spade is an American luxury fashion house. The brand has been part of Tapestry, Inc. since its acquisition in 2017. In March 2023, Kate Spade unveiled its new spring fragrance, Cherie, which instills the joyful spirit of Paris and expands the company’s fragrance line. [21]
Kate Spade has cemented its place as one of the top players in the luxury fashion market. In September 2023, Kate Spade launched its spring collection with fun details like sculptural rosettes on chokers, belts, and handbags. It reinforces the brand’s identity, rooted in NYC’s culture. Kate Spade is one of the best alternatives to Burberry. [22]
13. Michael Kors
Year founded: 1981
Headquarter: New York City, New York
Michael Kors is a world-leading luxury fashion brand founded by an award-winning designer of the same name. It offers ready-to-wear clothing, handbags, shoes, accessories, and fragrances for all genders. In August 2023, Tapestry, Inc. acquired Michael Kors’ parent company, Capri, for $8.5 billion.
Michael Kors is best known for its classic designs with a modern twist. In October 2023, the brand launched its Holiday 2023 ad campaign and ready-to-wear collection. Its latest offering features sequined puffers, sandals, stylish faux fur outerwear, army-style boots, and tailored coats. Michael Kors is a worthy alternative to Burberry. [23]
14. Balenciaga
Year founded: 1919
Headquarter: Paris, France
Balenciaga is a luxury fashion house and part of the Kering Group. In November 2022, the brand was embroiled in controversy for featuring kids holding teddy bears in bondage harnesses in an ad campaign. Its designer, Demna Gvasalia, apologized for the ad and focused on regaining consumers’ trust. [24]
Balenciaga offers ready-to-wear clothing, footwear, handbags, and accessories. In October 2023, Balenciaga designer Demna used family members and friends as models to showcase the brand’s collection at the Paris fashion show. This approach provides authentic experiences for ordinary consumers. As a Kering brand, Balenciaga has enough resources to grab market share from Burberry. [25]
15. Tom Ford
Year founded: 2005
Headquarter: New York City, New York
Tom Ford is a leading luxury fashion house founded by a renowned designer with the same name. Its product line includes ready-to-wear and made-to-measure clothing, footwear, handbags, and accessories. In 2022, the founder sold his company to Estée Lauder for $2.8 billion and retired from fashion design.
The Tom Ford brand has been defined by its rakish and glossy 90s-style minimalist look. In September 2023, Ford’s protégé and designer Peter Hawkings presented a collection at Milan Fashion Week. Hawkings’ design offers a new point of view while reinforcing the brand’s identity. Tom Ford is a worthy competitor for Burberry. [26]
References & more information
- Abdulla, S. (2023, Sep 18). Burberry’s London runway show was dominated by padded bags and blue-soled heels. Reuters
- Burberry PLC (2023, Oct 30). Burberry partners with Tricker’s for Winter 2023 shoes. BurberryPLC.com
- Reid, J. (2023, Oct 11). LVMH shares fall to 2023 low as growth slows, pulling the luxury sector down. CNBC
- Klasa, A. (2023, Oct 29). Louis Vuitton juggles volume and value as luxury boom ebbs. Financial Times
- Ray, J. (2023, Jul 27). Prada’s sales rose 62% in the first half of 2023. Robb Report
- Garnier, J. (2023, Apr 23). Prada is expanding its production capacity in Italy. Le Monde
- Pandya, D. (2023, Sep 15). Gucci and LVMH to expand in India with new outlets in Reliance’s luxury mall. Reuters
- Adamson, T. (2023, Sep 27). Dior triumphs in melding women’s past and future, while Saint Laurent puts on a study in power dressing. AP News
- Luxus+ (2023, Aug 26). Dior has become the Most Popular Luxury Brand Online. Luxe Digital Magazine
- Conlon, S. (2023, Sep 24). Giorgio Armani channels ‘countless light vibrations’ for the Milan show. The Guardian
- Garnier, J. (2023, Apr 8). Hermes opened three new leather goods factories to meet soaring demand. Le Monde
- Holmes, F. (2023, Jun 20). Ranking the 10 Most Popular Luxury Brands Online in 2023. Forbes
- Ingham, L. (2023, May 26). Chanel invests $1.3bn worldwide. FXcompared.com
- Wightman-Stone, D. (2022, Oct 3). Versace to revitalize retail offering with new store concept. Fashion United
- O’Donoghue, S. (2023, Aug 11). A change in Italian fashion: Versace’s parent company sold in a multi-billion deal. Euro News
- Mayer, G. (2023, Aug 10). Coach is the new ‘cool girl’ brand for Gen Z. Business Insider
- Cohn, A. (2023, Jul 10). Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda trades Crystals for Crochet. Harpers Bazaar
- Mubashar, L. (2023, Apr 6). Dolce & Gabbana expands diversification with hotel and property plans. Euro News
- Strunck, C. (2023, Sep 26). Inside “Yves Saint Laurent: Form and Fashion,” a new book that captures the spirit of the legendary designer. Harpers Bazaar
- King, E. (2023, Feb 15). Kering disrupts luxury beauty with a new in-house division. Beauty Retail
- BP Staff (2023, Mar 8). Kate Spade New York Introduces Paris-Inspired Fragrance. Beauty Packaging
- Bossi, A. (2023, Sep 8). Kate Spade’s latest collection was designed to remind you of a New York spring. Fashionista
- Press Release (2023, Oct 30). Michael Kors unveils holiday 2023 campaign starring global cast. Images-BoF
- Issawi, D. (2023, Jun 5). What to Know About the Balenciaga Ad Scandal. The Cut
- Spencer, M. (2023, Oct 2). Balenciaga designer puts friends and family on the Paris runway. Reuters
- Cartner-Morley, J. (2023, Sep 22). Tom Ford’s British creative director makes his debut at Milan Fashion Week. The Guardian
- Featured Image by Sai De Silva
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