Gucci loafers out of reach? Try these private labels on for size

Never before have so many new fashion labels sprung up in Europe as online retailers try to fend off a dual threat from e-commerce giant Amazon.com Inc and brick-and-mortar stores expanding their digital offerings. 

Berlin-based Zalando SE has conjured up 17 private labels since 2010 and now generates €500mil (RM2.50bil) of its €3.64bil (RM18.21bil) in annual sales from them, offering everything from Pier One sweaters costing less than €30 (RM150) to Mai Piu Senza high-heeled boots at €170 (RM850) or more. The UK’s Asos Plc says its own brands will soon amount to 50% of sales. Even Yoox Net-a-Porter SpA, a Milan-based forum for luxury goods from the likes of Prada and Gucci, is creating in-house labels like Iris & Ink and Kingsman.