LONDON (Reuters) -British luxury brand Burberry said on Thursday its recovery from the COVID-19 crisis accelerated through the year, enabling it to reinstate a dividend payment.
The label, known for its trench coats, check fabric and TB monogram, reported a 10% drop in sales for the year to March 27, impacted by store closures and reduced tourism.
However, it said fourth quarter comparable store sales increased 32% year-on-year, despite an average of 16% of stores being closed.
It said full-price sales grew 63% in the quarter driven by mainland China, Korea and the United States. At the end of its financial year Burberry faced calls for a consumer boycott in the important Chinese market over Xinjiang cotton.
Burberry reported an adjusted operating profit of 396 million pounds ($556 million) - ahead of analysts' average forecast of 378 million pounds but down 8% from the 433 million pounds made in 2019-20.
The full year dividend was reinstated at 2019 levels of 42.5 pence.
($1 = 0.7118 pounds)