In late October, the Bernstein analyst Luca Solca published a research note with the subject line “Burberry: back to basics.” He made the case that the struggling British brand’s new chief executive, ex-Coach head Josh Schulman, would have a relatively quick and straightforward path to recovery by doubling down on trench coats, check patterns and other touchstones developed over the last 150-plus years.
It was sound advice, and when the company reports third-quarter results on Thursday,…

