Reflections Caused by Burberry's Relocation

Luxury goods can only be produced in Europe?

Turning off plants and resuming lands is a common company decision for most companies. However, Burberry's plan to relocate the factory was announced. It alerted the community and even the Crown Prince Charles came forward. For a time, "keeping British Burberry" became the loudest slogan in the country.

　 Relocation of the factory situation

The conflicts and conflicts caused by the relocation of factories have a long history.

Burberry’s factory in Treadach Town, Ronda, Scotland, produces a series of jerseys, with 310 workers at the factory, accounting for 1/3 of the company’s total number of factory workers. On September 6, 2006, the workers were Informed that the plant may be closed, and the company is also preparing to transfer the production line to China.

Unemployment is inevitable. Workers held demonstrations at two Burberry flagship stores in London.

The relocation of the factory finally broke the public anger: On September 7, a spokesman for the British Small Business Association said that it was "shocked" by the plan. He also warned that Burberry may be sent to the "professional court!" The Welsh congressman, Leighton Andrews, added: "Burberry defines itself as a 'brand of British luxury', and as such it must be produced in the UK."

On November 9th, Hollywood famous movie star, global spokesman of Burberry brand Ian Grafard also joined in solidarity. In a letter to Burberry’s chief executive, he asked the company to keep the Welsh branch running and hope that the other party could find an alternative solution to the problem.

Grafad’s ancestral home is near the branch. In his letter, he wrote: "You all know that Burberry's glorious history has enriched my childhood memories. I can imagine how much the unemployment of a large number of workers caused by the closure will have an impact on Burberry."

The chain reaction was connected with a wave. Burberry's global spokeswoman actress Rachel Vichy, Burberry's VIP, such as Madonna, Beckham, supermodel Kate Moss, and even Prince Charles have expressed their opposition. Burberry had to make concessions to postpone the closure of the branch until March 31, 2007.

“We are very pleased that the workers have already secured Christmas and New Year's financial security.” Mavone Burnett, a senior official of the SME Federation, immediately issued a statement: “But this does not affect our protection of Burberry at Trey. Plans for the production base in Aoqi Town will continue our actions to 'maintain Burberry's Britishization'."