Burberry replaces CEO, suspends dividend; shares dive 11%

Shares in Burberry plunged 11% in early trading on Monday after a disappointing first-quarter performance led it to issue a profit warning, replace its CEO and axe its dividend.

The luxury giant said that if the recent trading slowdown continues, it expects to report an operating loss for the first half of this year and full-year operating profit below current consensus.

It also suspended its dividend and named Joshua Schulman — who formerly led Michael Kors and Coach — as new CEO. Jonathan Akeroyd is stepping down “with immediate effect by mutual agreement with the Board,” the company added.

“The weakness we highlighted coming into FY25 has deepened and if the current trend persists through our Q2, we expect to report an operating loss for our first half,” Burberry Chair Gerry Murphy said in a trading update, describing the company’s first-quarter performance as “disappointing.”

“In light of current trading, we have decided to suspend dividend payments in respect of FY25 … We expect the actions we are taking, including cost savings, to start to deliver an improvement in our second half and to strengthen our competitive position and underpin long-term growth.”

Burberry said comparable store sales fell 21% in the 12 weeks to June 29, with retail revenue coming in at £458 million for the period. On a regional basis, sales slipped 16% in EMEIA (Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa), and 23% in both Asia Pacific and the Americas.

Outlining a desire to “reconnect with our core customer base,” Burberry said it planned to focus on rebalancing its products “to include a broader everyday luxury offer,” refine its brand communications, refresh its website, and deliver cost savings.

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