Harrods to Launch Own Label In Stores

Harrods, the iconic London department store, has said that it plans to create in-store shops for Harrods-branded clothing and accessories by 2012, and foresees a substantial part of future sales coming from its own brand.

At Harrods, the range of men's clothing and accessories will be positioned as an alternative to a brand like Brioni Roman Style, the Italian maker of $5,000 suits. Harrods was acquired last month by Qatar Holding for £1.5 billion ($2.3 billion). Its move into own-label clothing follows the example of other department store groups. Liberty, for example, has just launched its first men's clothing line with Venice-based Slowear Group and a year after revamping its private label men's collection, Saks Fifth Avenue's men's collection is forecast to become the department store group's largest menswear brand.