Why Burberry Wants to Bring the Online Experience to Stores, and Not Vice Versa

Talk to a fashion executive about ecommerce, and he will inevitably cite the challenges of creating an online shopping environment on par with his flagship stores. Online shopping may be convenient, he will say, but customers will be denied the ability to try on a garment for fit, to feel the texture of a python bag, to be surrounded by the products, architecture, music and personnel that make up the store experience.
It’s no surprise, then, that many apparel retailers, particularly those that fall in the luxury category, have invested heavily in bringing elements of the in-store shopping experience to their websites. While shopping on Burberry Outlets Online, you’ll be encouraged to connect to a personal shopper through live chat to address your questions. At Saks.com, you’re invited to zoom in on photographs of products and watch videos of clothing worn by models to get a better sense of fit and movement. J.Crew recently collected its shoes and handbags under one category to replicate the in-store experience of browsing, while Valentino.com has its own store soundtrack.
Given the above, I was somewhat surprised when Christopher Bailey, chief creative officer of Burberry, said in interviews earlier this month that the company was investing not in replicating more of its store experiences online, but bringing the Burberry.com experience to its stores — specifically, the 27,000-square-foot flagship Burberry recently opened on Regent Street in London.
The flagship, by Replica Burberry Shoes’s description, has seamlessly integrated technology throughout. Full-length screens wrap the store, transitioning between audio-visual content displays, live-streaming hubs and and mirrors. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips have been attached to certain clothes and accessories so that when a customer approaches one of the screens in a fitting room, specific content — say, information about a bag’s stitching and craftsmanship, or a video showing how a skirt was worn on the catwalk — will appear.
I followed up by phone with Bailey earlier this week. In addition to the new store, we discussed why Burberry didn’t serve up any new digital tricks for its Spring/Summer 2013 collection show, and how customization and other emerging trends are shaping Burberry’s business. Check out an edited transcript of our talk, below.
You spoke in several earlier interviews about your desire to carry the Burberry.com experience to the Regent Street store. That surprised me. Nearly every other retailer is trying to do the opposite.
We put so much energy and design, and created all these unique experiences on Burberry.com, but we didn’t have any physical version of them — Burberry Acoustic, for example, or our heritage archive, or Burberry Bespoke, or even our beauty and fragrance division. So what we did was the exact opposite of the way people build physical spaces. We started looking at Burberry.com and making the experience you have there very rich, one that shows the whole world what Burberry is about. We wanted, when you walked into the Regent Street store, to feel exactly the same atmosphere, [for you to be] able to engage with it in the same way that you might be able to engage online. That meant silly as well as tangible things. We installed several hundred speakers and built a stage, as well as an in-and-out satellite link so we could stream live shows in, and stream out live gigs, all of which emulates the Burberry Acoustic site.
We also did a lot of residential seating around the space, so you can sit down and relax as might you at home with your laptop or iPad.
What kind of impression do you want people to have about Burberry’s brand when they leave the store for the first time?
That they were able to experience lots of different things, also [that they found it] entertaining. For example, throughout the store we have a couple of hundred of screens, some of them are huge, and then there are a couple hundred little screens around the store that has content specifically designed for the environment it’s in. And every hour or so — we’re figuring out timing about it still — we’ll basically change the whole store to one thing, have this kind of rainstorm we’ve done with people clicking their fingers, and all of a sudden we’ll dim the lights throughout the whole space and every video screen will suddenly turn to this video we’ve created. Everybody just stops and stares at the screen; we turn the sound up a bit, it becomes entertainment, makes people smile and stop, and then they go back to what they were doing. I think it’s about more than just shopping, exploring.
Is the experience you created in Regent Street something you plan to bring to other stores?
Regent Street is really a one-off even just because of scale of store, but there are definitely elements of what we’ve done in Regent Street that we’ll take to different stores around world.
Customization and personalization seem to be two key themes emerging from Burberry as of late, particularly with Burberry Bespoke and the RFID/custom content experience you’re using in the store. Is that fair to say? What’s driving that?
When you start interacting and engaging in a very authentic way with social media, you also have to look at the way you do things. Things need to be quicker, more personalized; there needs to be a dialogue, rather than the industry standard of working always in this way and on this calendar. You need to question everything that you can. We did this show yesterday; you can literally buy all the outerwear off the runway immediately, deliver in six to eight weeks, that sort of thing.
As for RFID: People are interested in what goes behind products now. You can show so much more on the web through video and text and moving imagery. So what we wanted to do, for example, is if I try on a trench coat and approach one of the mirrors that we’ve enabled with RFID, content comes up on the screen that shows how we’ve made that trench coat, what it looked like on the runway. We’re putting stories behind clothes and fashion.
Let’s talk about show. We’ve gotten used now to Burberry unveiling something totally new digitally every season — 3D live streams, post-show shopping, tweetwalk, animated tweetwalk — that gets a lot of press. So far as I’m aware, you didn’t do anything of that sort for this show. How come?
This time we did do a lot of personalization with the show. For example, we invited people personally with their names to watch the show, and when people came in to show space, they immediately got an email from me saying, ‘Welcome, I hope you enjoy the show.’ We tried to make it a little more intimate, a little more personal.
I’ve never thought that we have to check a box every season to do something new, something that was newsworthy. It’s more for me that we’re doing things authentically. The tweetwalk was something I wanted to do because it was something I felt. On the runway everything is perfect, glossy and finished, audience looks pretty amazing, but then backstage as with everything, there’s usually a bit of chaos. It was fun to show that real life as well. That’s what social media or Twitter is about; I like those contradictions.
We’ve talked about integrating digital in-store, customization, live streaming — what digital trends do you see impacting Burberry Sale Handbags’s business going forward?
I think connecting everything. There are so many different platforms, so many different forms of communication; how do we make sure they’re all coming together in some way, that they’re not all sitting alone?

Michael Kors - Timely Or Timeless?

One of the hottest stocks to IPO in the last 12 months is Michael Kors Holdings (KORS). The luxury handbag maker has been quickly gaining market share from competitors and drawing the attention of investors. Shares have been bid up and currently trade at 63 times trailing 12 months earnings.

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I am certainly not an expert in fashion or women's handbags. Additionally, because my wife enjoys these luxury purses and I am well aware of the cost, I have no real interest in this industry. If anything, I am intrigued by the margins luxury retailers enjoy and ultimately want to have ownership in these corporations. Certain times as investors we can be swayed to purchase a company because we like the product, not because the investment is attractively valued. I feel confident this bias has been overcome.
My purpose in writing this article is to understand whether Michael Kors products are "timely" purchases made by consumers so they can have the hottest fashion item, or the beginning of a "timeless" luxury retailer that will remain an iconic brand like Louis Vuitton (LVMHF.PK), Coach (COH), or Burberry (BURBY.PK). Since this company has limited financial data available, I will highlight the potential growth opportunities that may lie ahead as well as the risks involved in ownership of this stock.

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North America
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, North America contributed to just under 91% of net revenue. For the next few years this geographic location will continue to drive earnings for the company and should warrant the most attention from investors. The company plans to double its store base over the current fiscal year and is gaining significant market share on rivals like Coach in the department shore channel. Looking through Coach's recent earnings release, you can see margin compression as they are being forced to offer more promotions in order to compete.
The name Michael Kors is becoming wildly popular as the company sells not only luxury handbags that range from $200-$800, but also less expensive items such as watches, jewelry, fragrances, and clothing to name a few. Consumers of every level can show off a Michael Kors purchase; the same cannot be said for other luxury retailers. Fossil (FOSL) actually manufactures the watches and jewelry for Michael Kors, and while I think Fossil makes a variety of quality products, it is certainly not equal in quality to other high-end jewelers -- think Tiffany's (TIF) or Movado (MOV). These "lower cost" items are what leads me to believe the company could be a fashion fad and not a lasting legacy. Most high-end luxury retailers' roots began by making extremely high quality products from expensive materials -- the craftsmanship and quality then grew the company. Michael Kors appears to have its hand in all levels of products, and as the company really begins to take off they may not achieve the brand recognition they desire.

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Asia and Europe
Asia is home to many tremendous growth opportunities for Michael Kors. Japan, the third largest economy in the world, is one segment worth watching over the next few quarters. Currently less than 1% of revenue comes from this country, but the 190% quarter-over-quarter revenue growth is worth noting. The Japanese are very well accustomed to luxury handbags: Rival Coach currently has 180 stores open in the country and more on the way. Below is a comment from CEO John Idol during the most recent earnings call:
Japan will be an important market for us, and we are taking a long-term view for the development of this region. As one of the largest luxury goods markets in the world, we believe that the Michael Kors brand will resonate with the Japanese fashion consumer. At the end of the first quarter, we had 19 retail locations in Japan. We are on track to open 10 locations this fiscal year, and we believe we can ultimately have 100 retail stores, including concessions, in this region.

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One of the most exciting stories to discuss is China. With an emerging middle class and growing taste for Western culture, Michael Kors could really make an impact in this country. The company has seven retail stores open in China and is still in the early phases of creating and building brand awareness. Michael Kors will need to play catch-up as rival Coach has 96 locations in China and is rapidly expanding over the next few years. The race to gain market share in this region is rapidly in motion.
Given the current state of many European countries and citizens, you wouldn't think this is a bright spot to grow the brand. However, Michael Kors is seeing tremendous results: Last quarter it reported revenue of $33 million, up 110% quarter over quarter. From, again, the most recent earnings call, Idol said that in "the retail environment across Europe, overall, we have not seen an impact to our operations. We are uniquely positioned to build a pan-European accessible luxury accessory business."

Risks
I think the basic risks of Michael Kors are somewhat obvious: cyclical consumer spending behavior, changing fashion trends, high level of competition, and supply chain/inventory management, to name a few. However, there are some important points to be aware of before you become a shareholder. Hidden in the recent 20-F filing (not your typical 10-Ks and 10-Qs) are some noteworthy disclosures about the stock (emphasis added):
We are not required to comply with all of the periodic disclosure and current reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. The determination of foreign private issuer status is made annually on the last business day of an issuer's most recently completed second fiscal quarter, and, accordingly, the next determination will be made with respect to us on Sept. 29, 2012. If more than 50% of our ordinary shares are directly or indirectly held by residents of the United States on Sept. 29, 2012, we will no longer be considered a foreign private issuer. There is a significant risk that we will lose our foreign private issuer status on Sept. 29, 2012. As a result, the regulatory and compliance costs to us under U.S. securities laws as a U.S. domestic issuer could be significantly higher.
As of March 31, 2012, our Principal Shareholders collectively own approximately 35.5% of our ordinary shares. As a result, our Principal Shareholders will have the ability to significantly influence the election of our directors and the outcome of most Company actions requiring shareholder approval, including a merger with or into another company or a sale of substantially all of our assets. The interests of our Principal Shareholders may conflict with our interests or those of other shareholders.

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Our corporate affairs are governed by our Memorandum and Articles of Association, the BVI Business Companies Act 2004, and the common law of the British Virgin Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under British Virgin Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedents in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the British Virgin Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States, and some states (such as Delaware) have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law. As a result of the foregoing, holders of our ordinary shares may have more difficulty in protecting their interests through actions against our management, directors or major shareholders than they would as shareholders of a U.S. company.
Section 303A of the NYSE Exchange Listing Rules requires listed companies to have, among other things, a majority of their board members be independent and independent director oversight of executive compensation, nomination of directors and corporate governance matters. However, a "foreign private issuer" is permitted to follow its home country practice in lieu of the above requirements. We are currently a foreign private issuer, and, as such, we may follow British Virgin Islands law, the law of our home country, with respect to the foregoing requirements, which does not require that a majority of our board consist of independent directors or that we implement a nominating or corporate governance committee.
Conclusion
In my opinion, shares of Michael Kors may be a "timely" investment, but not a "timeless" investment. You can't deny the growth story this company delivers, and although the growth comes at the cost of increased risk, shareholders who purchased near the IPO date have been handsomely rewarded. Given the numerous opportunities I stated earlier, it may be wise for certain investors to begin building a position in Kors and adding to it over time as more financial information is revealed.
Investors seeking a "timeless" investment strategy should steer toward a proven company, such as Coach. Coach has established itself as a quality producer of luxury goods, and the worldwide marketplace is quickly acquiring their products. Following the recent fiscal year-end, shares are also trading at a reasonable valuation.

Burberry scarf cheap

It’s unfortunate that the scarf is so overlooked by men today. When the temperature drops it only makes sense to throw a scarf on, yet so many men do themselves a disservice by either forgetting their neckwear, or putting on a threadbare scarf that barely keeps the cold out, and detracts from their outfit.
The scarf is a combination of form and function, but finding one that works for you needs a bit of forethought.

The scarf is a combination of form and function, but finding one that works for you needs a bit of forethought. Is this something for a cold day at the office, or a breezy night out? Does wool scratch and bite at your neck, or do you love the feel of good soft cashmere?

So before you head out into the cold, check out my Guide to Scarves, and figure out just what you need to help survive the season with this oft overlooked on fashion accessory.

Wool Scarf

The gold standard in scarves, a wool Burberry scarf cheap in cashmere or merino is something every man ought to own. With soft, understated patterns and colors, it never overpowers your outfit; but merely accents it in the just the right way. If it strikes you, feel free to get one in your college colors and show some pride for the old alma mater.

This is great scarf for everyday wear, no matter where the day might take you. It pairs best with your winter coat, or even with a thick knit sweater and jeans; above all the key here is to add bulk to your look without overwhelming it. Tie it in an overhand knot or a French knot if you need it a bit closer to the neck.

A wool scarf in cashmere or merino is something every man ought to own.

Cotton Scarf

A lightweight scarf that offers less protection than cashmere against the elements this is still a great scarf to have. It’s the perfect scarf to go with a blazer in the cool winds of autumn; a great cotton scarf is indispensable as summer turns to fall.

If the weather doesn’t warrant heavy winter wear yet, consider adding a cotton scarf to your outfit. A cotton scarf with a subtle check can add a much needed bit of vitality to your everyday suit. Tie it in a French knot around your neck, and you’re set.

Knit Scarf

A broad category that includes any knit scarf, cotton or wool. To clarify, we’re talking about the clunky knit scarves that your grandmother specializes in. It’s warm, there’s no doubting that, but it can sometimes be difficult to put together an outfit that includes this piece.

A knit scarf in a French knot is the perfect compliment to a simple sweater, and offers just the right amount of warmth for the early winter. Younger men can pair a chunky knit scarf with an oversized t-shirt and ratty jeans for a sort of bohemian-chic look. This scarf is often all about the style of knit and its bulk, so use it as a contrast to a clean cut ensemble, not at the final straw in an outfit that already makes you look like an Eskimo.

A knit scarf in a French knot is the perfect compliment to a simple sweater.

Silk Scarf

From the Hermes knockoff for sale on the sidewalk to the white silk piece in the back of your Burberry sale handbags, the silk scarf is the ultimate triumph of form over function. Not warm enough for the cold weather, the silk scarf still has its place and purpose.

A blue patterned scarf can be knotted around your neck for a nautical look for trips to the beach. Not feeling the summer regatta look? A black or white silk scarf adds a brilliant touch of class to any suit, making it ready for a night out. This is a more formal scarf, and should always be paired with an outfit of equal stature, or dressed completely down; never in-between.

A black or white silk scarf adds a brilliant touch of class to any replica Burberry handbags free, making it ready for a night out.

Keffiyeh

The Keffiyeh is an Arab headdress that’s been co-opted by many youthful ‘in the know’ types as a neckpiece. A more youthful piece, you shouldn’t really try this look unless you’re the kind of guy who has a monthly budget specifically allocated to ironic sunglasses and skinny jeans.

Depending on where you wear it, and how, people will either think you’re expressing support for Palestine or are just coming back from an indie concert, so beware of the stigma attached to this simple bit of checked Burberry handbags outlet sale. Also, it’s a trend, and one that as we write these words, and is quickly on its way out the fashion door.

Summary

Every scarf fills a different role and need:

Wool Scarf: A great workhorse scarf for the cold weather, there’s no situation where this scarf doesn’t fit in.

Cotton Scarf: The perfect autumn scarf, the cotton scarf can really liven up an outfit.

Knit Scarf: A clunky offering that’s best for lazy Sunday walks or as an accessory for a Boho chic outfit.

Silk Scarf: Great for nights out, for watching regattas, or other situations where being warm isn’t as important as looking good.

Keffiyeh: A difficult choice that’s best left to the hipsters.

How to Choose a Scarf?

It’s unfortunate that the scarf is so overlooked by men today. When the temperature drops it only makes sense to throw a scarf on, yet so many men do themselves a disservice by either forgetting their neckwear, or putting on a threadbare Burberry scarf outlet sale that barely keeps the cold out, and detracts from their outfit.

The scarf is a combination of form and function, but finding one that works for you needs a bit of forethought.

The scarf is a combination of form and function, but finding one that works for you needs a bit of forethought. Is this something for a cold day at the office, or a breezy night out? Does wool scratch and bite at your neck, or do you love the feel of good soft cashmere?

So before you head out into the cold, check out my Guide to Scarves, and figure out just what you need to help survive the season with this oft overlooked on fashion accessory.

Wool Scarf

The gold standard in scarves, a wool scarf in cashmere or merino is something every man ought to own. With soft, understated patterns and colors, it never overpowers your outfit; but merely accents it in the just the right way. If it strikes you, feel free to get one in your college colors and show some pride for the old alma mater.

This is great scarf for everyday wear, no matter where the day might take you. It pairs best with your winter coat, or even with a thick knit sweater and jeans; above all the key here is to add bulk to your look without overwhelming it. Tie it in an overhand knot or a French knot if you need it a bit closer to the neck.

A wool scarf in cashmere or merino is something every man ought to own.

Cotton Scarf

A lightweight scarf that offers less protection than cashmere against the elements this is still a great scarf to have. It’s the perfect scarf to go with a blazer in the cool winds of autumn; a great cotton scarf is indispensable as summer turns to fall.

If the weather doesn’t warrant heavy winter wear yet, consider adding a cotton scarf to your outfit. A cotton scarf with a subtle check can add a much needed bit of vitality to your everyday suit. Tie it in a French knot around your neck, and you’re set.

Knit Scarf

A broad category that includes any knit Burberry scarf bloomingdales, cotton or wool. To clarify, we’re talking about the clunky knit scarves that your grandmother specializes in. It’s warm, there’s no doubting that, but it can sometimes be difficult to put together an outfit that includes this piece.

A knit scarf in a French knot is the perfect compliment to a simple sweater, and offers just the right amount of warmth for the early winter. Younger men can pair a chunky knit scarf with an oversized t-shirt and ratty jeans for a sort of bohemian-chic look. This scarf is often all about the style of knit and its bulk, so use it as a contrast to a clean cut ensemble, not at the final straw in an outfit that already makes you look like an Eskimo.

A knit scarf in a French knot is the perfect compliment to a simple sweater.

Silk Scarf

From the Hermes knockoff for sale on the sidewalk to the white silk piece in the back of your closet, the silk scarf is the ultimate triumph of form over function. Not warm enough for the cold weather, the silk scarf still has its place and purpose.

A blue patterned scarf can be knotted around your neck for a nautical look for trips to the beach. Not feeling the summer regatta look? A black or white silk scarf adds a brilliant touch of class to any suit, making it ready for a night out. This is a more formal Burberry scarf cheap, and should always be paired with an outfit of equal stature, or dressed completely down; never in-between.

A black or white silk scarf adds a brilliant touch of class to any suit, making it ready for a night out.

Keffiyeh

The Keffiyeh is an Arab headdress that’s been co-opted by many youthful ‘in the know’ types as a neckpiece. A more youthful piece, you shouldn’t really try this look unless you’re the kind of guy who has a monthly budget specifically allocated to ironic sunglasses and skinny jeans.

Depending on where you wear it, and how, people will either think you’re expressing support for Palestine or are just coming back from an indie concert, so beware of the stigma attached to this simple bit of checked cloth. Also, it’s a trend, and one that as we write these words, and is quickly on its way out the fashion door.

Summary

Every scarf fills a different role and need:

Wool Scarf

: A great workhorse scarf for the cold weather, there’s no situation where this scarf doesn’t fit in.

Cotton Scarf

: The perfect autumn scarf, the cotton scarf can really liven up an outfit.

Knit Scarf

: A clunky offering that’s best for lazy Sunday walks or as an accessory for a Boho chic outfit.

Silk Scarf

: Great for nights out, for watching regattas, or other situations where being warm isn’t as important as looking good.

Keffiyeh

: A difficult choice that’s best left to the hipsters.

Millennial madness A shocking Chinese account of Chairman Mao’s great famine

IN 1959 an 18-year-old student named Yang Jisheng was summoned home from his boarding school in central China by a friend who told him that his father was starving to death. Mr Yang returned immediately to his village, just in time to see his emaciated father before he died. The young idealist, already a member of the Communist Youth League, grieved deeply, but never thought to blame the government. “Compared with the advent of the great communist society,” he writes, “what was my family’s petty misfortune?”

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For more than two decades, Mr Yang believed the official version of Mao Zedong’s disastrous economic experiment known as the Great Leap Forward, that it was caused by natural disasters. Even after he became a senior reporter for Xinhua, the official news agency, and learnt how the party manipulated and manufactured news, he remained a true believer. Only as China opened up in the 1980s did Mr Yang start to question what he had been told. The killing of demonstrators in Beijing in 1989 was a rude awakening. “The blood of those young students cleansed my brain of all the lies I had accepted over the previous decades.” And so he set out to shake off the deception and shake up the system that he had spent his life supporting.

The result is “Tombstone”, a shocking account of what are known euphemistically in China as the Three Years of Economic Difficulty. Frank Dikotter’s excellent book on the same subject came out two years ago, but this is the first detailed analysis of the famine written by a Chinese author who lived through it. Published in Chinese in Hong Kong in 2008, the book is now coming out in English for the first time. The original 1,200 pages have been condensed, and are all the punchier for it.

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The Great Leap Forward was the high point of ignorant Maoist folly. Chairman Mao said in 1957 that China could well overtake the industrial output of Britain within 15 years. People left the fields to build backyard furnaces in which pots and pans were melted down to produce steel. The end product was unusable. As farmers abandoned the land, their commune leaders reported hugely exaggerated grain output to show their ideological fervour. The state took its share on the basis of these inflated figures and villagers were left with little or nothing to eat. When they complained, they were labelled counter-revolutionary and punished severely. As the cadres feasted, the people starved. Mr Yang calculates that about 36m died as a result.

After he retired, he used his contacts to gain access to restricted documents in archives all over China, claiming he was researching the history of grain policy. Some archivists were aware of what he was doing, but chose to turn a blind eye.

He picked “Tombstone” as a title chiefly to honour his father, and also the millions who died. He jokes darkly that the book could end up being his own tombstone too. Yet, despite it being banned in mainland China, Mr Yang continues to live freely in Beijing, editing a reformist magazine.

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The system has not died either, though it still jealously guards its own interpretation of history. Mr Yang’s book is a blood-soaked case study of what happens when a regime with no checks and balances collides with an ignorant ideological fervour. Chinese schoolbooks, however, prefer to gloss over the period completely.

“Tombstone” is meticulous in its research and exhaustive in the detail it accumulates for the reader: of villages strewn with corpses, of widespread cannibalism, and of the violence that exploded as one man’s millennial vision was unleashed. It also stands as a warning to modern supporters of the one-party state, who praise the ability of an autocracy to get things done. Even if today’s policies are less harsh, Mr Yang shows, the possibility of unchecked brutality is ever present. Nowadays the Communist Party is not causing widespread famine. But the same kiss-up, kick-down hierarchy persists, where every official is slave to his immediate superior and a dictator to his subordinates. Targets of the one-child policy, for instance, must be met, regardless of the human toll and future danger. Conversely, the truth about big problems around the country, such as the environment or corruption or food safety, must be covered up.

How much longer can this last? The government’s monopoly on information once afforded it a monopoly on truth. But information now floods in, especially via the internet. Mr Yang’s book is part of a broader attempt at last in China to discuss the history of the 1950s and 1960s. Chinese newspapers have begun publishing articles about the Great Leap Forward. Chinese microblogs have discussed openly what happened, though none as frankly as Mr Yang. History is slowly becoming a topic of discussion and an issue on which ordinary Chinese do not have to follow official propaganda slavishly. During recent anti-Japanese riots, a surprising number of people went against decades of government propaganda to complain about the crudity and stupidity of the protests. If the party can no longer control the past, who knows if it can still control the future?