Burberry is available online in a move to boost sales in America. Since its launch in September the American website has generated healthy turnover and UK customers could be buying over the internet within a year.

The luxury goods group's finance director Stacey Cartwright to the Evening Standard: 'It is very early days.' But she hints that internet shopping could soon become a massive source of revenue. It is hoped that the venture will increase the value of the brand which has soared to £1.9bn compared to just £200m when boss Rose Marie Bravo took over in 1997.