Etailer Achica to launch own brands

The private members’ site, set up by Asos co-founder Quentin Griffiths, said the initiative would help drive profit at the fast-growing business.

Griffiths said: “It’s not as brand-centric as fashion so there’s a great opportunity to build own label.”

The etailer has already piloted a range of own-brand bed linen, which Achica co-founder Will Cooper said had surpassed all expectations and achieved good margin. The pair said Achica would add categories such as soft furnishing and furniture to the label.

Achica, which broke even this year after two years of trading, is targeting huge growth. The retailer forecast that turnover, which rocketed 650% to £14.7m in 2011, will hit £60m in the current financial year. The site, which is edging close to having 1 million members, aims to double its membership by the end of the year.

Achica is also looking overseas to propel its growth. It launched in France and Spain earlier this year and is recruiting buyers to develop a country-specific offer for the sites.