RETAIL TRADE: All the King's Men

A customer walked into London's famed Burberrys clothing shop one day last week and asked a clerk: "Let's see one of those waterproof tweed topcoats of yours. You know—like the King wears." Thus another sale was made by the sign of the Royal Warrant over the door: a red, gold, silver and blue Royal Coat of Arms, with the magic advertising legend, 'By Appointment Makers of Weatherproof Clothing to H.M. the King."

Ever since the days of Queen Victoria, British monarchs have granted Warrants to tradesmen who supply the royal household with everything...

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