Burberry Group plc · London United Kingdom ·(London: BRBY)

Burberry is mad for plaid. The 152-year-old company has long been associated with its gabardine-checked fabric, invented by founder Thomas Burberry. Burberry-lined "trench" coats, worn by British soldiers in WWI, became a company icon. Burberry operates retail and wholesale businesses and a licensing network. (The luxury brand's retail sales now outweigh its wholesale revenues.) Its 300-plus company-owned stores and concessions in high-end department stores worldwide sell men's and women's designer apparel and accessories under the Prorsum and Burberry London names. Burberry has recently experienced a fashion renaissance and has expanded into baby clothes, blue jeans, and personal products. To read the full description, subscribe now.