C&A

Summary

C&A is an interesting global retailer that serves families on a budget. Ever since its opening by brothers Clemens and August in 1841, C&A has been at the forefront of fashion. From making ‘ready-to-wear’​ a thing when custom-made was the norm, to popularising miniskirts in the Sixties, introducing the Com-bi-kini in the Sevnties, Bio Cotton in early 2000 and the first Cradle-to-Cradle Gold certified garment in 2017 it has always evolved with the times.  The department store aspires for a future fashion industry that is more innovative and sustainable; one that has moved towards a circular future, and promotes a cycle of use, reuse and rebirth of clothing.

Mission Statement

C&A’s mission is to champion programs and initiatives that drive meaningful change in the fashion industry, fostering an environment where fairness and sustainability are at the forefront. The company aims to create a system that ensures all individuals involved in the fashion value chain, from farmers growing raw materials to factory workers producing garments, can prosper and lead better lives. By prioritizing ethical practices and responsible sourcing, C&A seeks to make the industry more inclusive and supportive for those who form its backbone.

Supporting this mission, C&A invests in comprehensive efforts that promote equitable conditions and sustainable practices. The company’s commitment is evident in its partnerships and projects that empower communities and workers, contributing to long-term, systemic improvements. By addressing key social and environmental challenges, C&A strives to transform the fashion landscape into one that balances economic growth with human and environmental well-being.

Vision

C&A envisions a future where the fashion industry thrives on innovation and sustainability, propelling a shift towards a circular economy. The department store aspires to embed a cycle of use, reuse, and rebirth in clothing production and consumption, ensuring that fashion contributes positively to both society and the environment. This vision reflects C&A’s commitment to addressing current challenges within the industry by promoting practices that extend the lifecycle of garments and minimize waste.

Guided by their One C&A Growth Plan, sustainability is at the core of C&A’s business model. The company believes in the power of business as a catalyst for positive change, shaping strategies that align with environmental and social objectives. By defining clear goals, C&A prioritizes actions that not only aim to reduce negative impacts but actively contribute to broader sustainable development. This approach underscores their belief that sustainability must be integral to both everyday operations and long-term plans.

To achieve these ambitious sustainability targets, C&A collaborates with industry partners and innovative start-ups, fostering a network that supports shared progress. Building alliances is essential to driving systemic change, as it enables C&A to harness collective expertise and scale impactful solutions. Through these partnerships, the department store strengthens its efforts to cultivate a fashion industry that respects both people and the planet, nurturing a model where fashion’s cycle seamlessly incorporates reuse and regeneration.

History

Brothers Clemens and August’s ancestors left the family farm in 1671 to sell linen as travelling merchants. It was in Mettingen in the 1830s that young boys Clemens and August Brenninkmeijer were apprenticed to learn their trade. In 1841, with a loan from their father, the brothers opened textile firm C&A Brenninkmeijer in the small town of Sneek. Living above the stockroom, they took their quality, ready-to-wear clothing from farm to farm and eventually the first store opened in 1860. In 1910 Dutch retailer C&A Brenninkmeijer had ten stores in the Netherlands.

The emergence of sewing machines brought with it an era of readymade apparel and C&A soon offered it in different sizes. This proved to be popular with customers and shortly, a store opened in Leeuwarden and two in Amsterdam. At this point, the brothers passed the business down to the next generation, who began selling ladies’ coats at affordable prices. It wasn’t long before the business acumen that was democratising fashion in Holland began showing good results in Germany and a store opened in Berlin in 1911. it wasn’t all smooth sailing though. Post- WWII growing back the business in Germany was priority. Building on its principles of creativity and hard work, C&A evolved to slowly become one of Germany’s largest retailers.

The following decades saw the company expand in Europe, Brazil, Mexico and China. Per Forbes, ”Since the company does not want to release any figures to the Dutch government, in 2001 the operations of all countries were consolidated into Cofra Group, a holding company headquartered in Zug, Switzerland.” However, its strategy of retailing budget apparel from high-rent centrally located retail stores made it vulnerable to retailers in out-of-town locations, clothing operations of supermarket food chains and high street brands. In the twentieth century, C&A withdrew from the UK and Argentina while C&A China competed with high street brands H&M and Zara. On 14 January 2018, Der Spiegel reported on its website that C&A management was considering selling the company to a Chinese investor.

In a company release, Cofra Holding AG said that they “remain fully committed to a successful, future-proof C&A business and as such at C&A we have embarked on a transformation and growth program.” Without mentioning the sale, they added: “The ongoing transformation of C&A includes an investigation of ways to accelerate in high growth priority areas such as China, emerging markets and digital, and that could potentially include partnerships and other types of additional external investment.”

What began as a two-man operation in 1841 is today one of Europe’s leading fashion companies. C&A cares for sustainable fashion just as deeply as it did in the little town of Sneek. By 2020, a majority of garments were made from sustainable materials; the supply network achieved zero discharge of hazardous chemicals; and the management engaged in dialogue with suppliers about programs that would improve workers’ livelihoods, secure safer working conditions and increase suppliers’ productivity. Its new slogan “Wear the change” points to this focus on sustainability and the retailer emphasises its continued efforts to keep prices down too.

Products and Services

C&A offers a diverse range of products and services designed to help customers feel confident and comfortable in their everyday lives. Since its founding in 1841, the company has prioritized accessible, ready-to-wear fashion that combines quality with affordability. This commitment remains strong today, as C&A continues to develop fashion offerings that cater to a wide array of styles and preferences while ensuring that customers can find options that suit both their tastes and budgets.

The C&A New Retail Experience exemplifies the company’s ongoing innovation and dedication to its mission of making fashion enjoyable and attainable for everyone. This initiative reflects C&A’s belief that everyone deserves to look and feel their best, enhancing customer interactions and elevating the shopping experience. Through modernized stores, updated online platforms, and integrated customer services, C&A strives to create an inclusive and positive experience for all shoppers.

Leadership Team

Giny Boer (CEO)
Birgit Kretschmer (CFO)
Jason Morgan (CCO)
Betty Kieß (Chief Communications Officer)

Recognition and Awards

C&A has a long-standing reputation for being a pioneer in the fashion industry, marked by numerous significant ‘firsts’ that have shaped fashion trends and practices. From its early innovation of making ready-to-wear clothing mainstream when custom-made garments were the norm, to popularizing miniskirts in the 1960s, C&A has consistently been at the forefront of fashion evolution. The company further distinguished itself in the 1970s with the introduction of the Com-bi-kini, an inventive take on swimwear.

In more recent years, C&A has been recognized for its commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly fashion. The introduction of Bio Cotton in the early 2000s and the creation of the first Cradle-to-Cradle Gold certified garment in 2017 underscored the brand’s dedication to sustainable practices. These milestones reflect C&A’s ongoing leadership in pushing boundaries and setting new standards in fashion, continually balancing innovation with a commitment to responsible production.

References

• Official website C&A
• Brand history C&A
• LinkedIn profile of C&A LinkedIn
• C&A launches online offering with Amazon Fashion just-style
• Facebook profile of C&A Facebook
• The fashion giant known for low prices  Gazette
• Twitter profile of C&A Twitter
• C&A launches on Amazon Fashion Retail Dive
• Youtube profile of C&A Youtube
• Lost fashion giant ‘famous’ for low prices Echo
• Instagram profile of C&A Instagram
• Shareholders to raise about $445 million in Brazil IPO Reuters
• Highly Secretive C&A Brenninkmeijer Is A Global Powerhouse In Fashion Retailing Forbes
• C&A closes down UK stores Guardian
• The high-street store that went from Coats and ‘Ats to Closure and Acrimony Independent
• Thread bare C&A closes its last British stores Guardian
• Wikipedia page of C&A Wikipedia
• C&A closes down formal wear subsidiary Canda International Fashion Network