In 2014, Burberry’s new chief executive officer was facing a changing environment and digital disruption in the luxury fashion industry. The Burberry brand image had improved considerably over the past decade. However, several changes within the fashion world had had a significant impact on the overall luxury fashion industry. Fast fashion, digital technology, and new communication channels had changed the way the world’s leading luxury brands operated. The industry experienced financial growth year-over-year, and Burberry and other luxury brands continued to be the industry trendsetters. However, the luxury companies were slowly losing some of their power and control over their brand image, both artistically and financially. Burberry’s business strategy needed to adapt to this changing environment, respond to the latest global fashion trends, and improve the communication of its brand. Should Burberry lead or follow with regard to making changes to its stores and fashion shows, dealing with fast fashion, and integrating a clear digital strategy as part of the company’s marketing strategy?

In 2014, Burberry's new chief executive officer was facing a changing environment and digital disruption in the luxury fashion industry. The Burberry brand image had improved considerably over the past decade. However, several changes within the fashion world had had a significant impact on the overall luxury fashion industry. Fast fashion, digital technology, and new communication channels had changed the way the world's leading luxury brands operated. The industry experienced financial growth year-over-year, and Burberry and other luxury brands continued to be the industry trendsetters. However, the luxury companies were slowly losing some of their power and control over their brand image, both artistically and financially. Burberry's business strategy needed to adapt to this changing environment, respond to the latest global fashion trends, and improve the communication of its brand. Should Burberry lead or follow with regard to making changes to its stores and fashion shows, dealing with fast fashion, and integrating a clear digital strategy as part of the company's marketing strategy?

Since 2005, the chief executive officer of Kering, a conglomerate headquartered in Paris, has successfully streamlined the company’s business strategy to concentrate on luxury goods and sporting and lifestyle brands —including Gucci, Yves St-Laurent, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga, among others — through selling off non-related businesses. By 2012, the company was more focused than ever before but was sluggish in one key aspect — its online presence. Like most competitors within the luxury industry, it was struggling with how it should capitalize on the benefits of a web presence, trying not to stray away from the luxury strategy of its brands. Kering recognized the importance of growing online, but needed to come up with an ideal approach to successfully grow the digital presence of its luxury brands.

Since 2005, the chief executive officer of Kering, a conglomerate headquartered in Paris, has successfully streamlined the company's business strategy to concentrate on luxury goods and sporting and lifestyle brands -including Gucci, Yves St-Laurent, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga, among others - through selling off non-related businesses. By 2012, the company was more focused than ever before but was sluggish in one key aspect - its online presence. Like most competitors within the luxury industry, it was struggling with how it should capitalize on the benefits of a web presence, trying not to stray away from the luxury strategy of its brands. Kering recognized the importance of growing online, but needed to come up with an ideal approach to successfully grow the digital presence of its luxury brands.

In 2006, Burberry appointed a new chief executive officer (CEO) with many years of experience in senior positions in the fashion and luxury industries. Though Burberry had enjoyed continued year over year growth, the sales growth was not on par with the growth seen within the personal luxury industry. Big changes within Burberry were expected to come as the new CEO took the reins in July 2006. What were the transformations and changes that Burberry would need to make in order to successfully adapt to the dynamic and innovative global business environment of the luxury industry?

In 2006, Burberry appointed a new chief executive officer (CEO) with many years of experience in senior positions in the fashion and luxury industries. Though Burberry had enjoyed continued year over year growth, the sales growth was not on par with the growth seen within the personal luxury industry. Big changes within Burberry were expected to come as the new CEO took the reins in July 2006. What were the transformations and changes that Burberry would need to make in order to successfully adapt to the dynamic and innovative global business environment of the luxury industry?