Editing C&A

{{Short description|International chain of clothing stores}}
{{About|the clothing retailer C&A}}
{{Distinguish|Canda}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Infobox company
| name          = C&A
| logo          = [[File:C&A logo.svg|125px]]
| type          = [[Subsidiary]]
| traded_as     = {{B3 (stock exchange)|Cvm=24848|CEAB3}} (only the unit in Brazil, C&A Modas SA)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-c-a-modas-ipo-brazil-idUSKBN1X32TT/ |title=Dutch fashion retailer C&A, shareholders to raise about $445 million in Brazil IPO |work=Reuters |accessdate=2023-11-17}}</ref>
| founded       = {{Start date and age|1841}}<br />(in [[Sneek]], Netherlands)
| founders      = Clemens and August [[Brenninkmeijer family|Brenninkmeijer]]
| location      = [[Vilvoorde]], Belgium<br />[[Düsseldorf]], Germany
| locations=1290 (2022)<ref>{{Cite web | title=C&A sluit in jaar tijd bijna 70 winkels | url=https://retailtrends.nl/news/67964/canda-sluit-in-jaar-tijd-bijna-70-winkels | website=RetailTrends | date=14 October 2022 | language=nl}}</ref>
| area_served   = Continental Europe<br>Brazil<br>China ''(licensed)''<br>Mexico  ''(licensed)''
| key_people    = Giny Boer ([[CEO]] C&A Europe)
| parent        = [[Cofra Holding|COFRA Holding AG]]
| industry      = [[Retail]]
| products      = [[Apparel]]<br>[[Fashion accessory|Accessories]]<br>[[Footwear]]
| num_employees = 50,000
| homepage      = {{URL|https://www.c-and-a.com/}}
}}

'''C&A''' is a multinational chain of [[retail]] clothing stores that originated in the [[Netherlands]]. It now has European head offices in [[Vilvoorde]], Belgium, and [[Düsseldorf]], Germany. The company operates approximately 1,300 stores in Europe and approximately 300 stores in Brazil, as well as websites for [[online shopping]]. It also licenses the C&A name for stores in Mexico and China, which are under different ownership.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.c-and-a.com/uk/en/corporate/company/about-ca/stores/ | title=Stores | website=c-and-a.com}}</ref> 

==History==
===Foundation===
The Brenninkmeyer family had traded in linen and textiles since the 17th century from [[Mettingen]], Germany. In 1841, a Dutch textile firm was founded in [[Sneek]] by brothers Clemens and August [[Brenninkmeijer family|Brenninkmeijer]], later taking its company name from the initials of the founders. The family was very secretive, in part to avoid customs scrutiny, and upon reaching age 14, male members of the family were given the choice of working for C&A or joining the [[Catholic priesthood]]. In 1906, Clemens' son, Bernard Joseph, started operating in Amsterdam. By 1910, there were ten C&A stores in the Netherlands.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.c-and-a.com/uk/en/corporate/company/about-ca/history/ |title=C&A – a success story | publisher=C&A | url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304120303/http://www.c-and-a.com/uk/en/corporate/company/about-us/history/ |archive-date=4 March 2011}}</ref>

In 1974, C&A was one of the sponsors of the [[1974 FIFA World Cup]]. In 1978, C&A sponsored cycling through [[Eddy Merckx]]'s team, taking over from [[Fiat France (cycling team)|Fiat France]].{{cn|date=August 2024}}

===Development since 2000===
In 2000, due to competition from [[Tesco]] and [[Asda]], as well as from expanding high street names such as [[H&M]], [[Zara (clothing)|Zara]] and [[Topshop]], C&A announced its withdrawal from the British market, where it had been operating since 1922, had 109 stores,<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/jun/15/2 | title=C&A closes down UK stores | work=[[The Guardian]] | date=15 June 2000}}</ref><ref name=sadtale>{{Cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/c-amp-a-a-sad-tale-of-the-highstreet-store-that-went-from-coats-and-ats-to-closure-and-acrimony-5370577.html | title=C&A, a sad tale of the high-street store that went from Coats and 'Ats to Closure and Acrimony | first=Nigel | last=Cope | work=[[The Independent]] | date=16 June 2000}}</ref> and had used the name ''C&A Modes''.<ref>[https://buildingourpast.com/2016/01/03/ca-modes-part-i-getting-established/ C&A Modes Part I: Getting Established] buildingourpast.com, 3 January 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2023</ref><ref>[https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/nostalgia/remember-ca-fashion-giant-known-25298443 Remember C&A? The fashion giant known for low prices that was a town centre staple] ''[[Teesside Gazette|TeessideLive]]'', 24 October 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2023</ref><ref>[https://www.hatads.org.uk/news/179/The-CA-UK-Marketing-Archive-Where-the-mode-of-the-moment-costs-less-than-elsewhere The C&A UK Marketing Archive: ‘Where the mode of the moment costs less than elsewhere’] www.hatads.org.uk. Retrieved 19 December 2023</ref><ref>[https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/nostalgia/lost-fashion-giant-famous-low-25298438 Lost fashion giant 'famous' for low prices where 'everyone used to go'] ''[[Liverpool Echo]]'', 23 October 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2023</ref><ref>[https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/lost-edinburgh-ca-modes-fire-1578092 Lost Edinburgh: C&A Modes Fire] ''[[The Scotsman]]'', 23 April 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2023</ref><ref>[https://www.lawjournals.co.uk/cases_referred/moore-v-c-and-a-modes-1981-irlr-71/ Case: Moore v C&A Modes &#91;1981&#93; IRLR 71] lawjournals.co.uk, May 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2023</ref> The last UK retail stores closed in 2001.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2001/jun/01/7 | title=Thread bare C&A closes its last British stores | first=Julia | last=Finch | work=[[The Guardian]] | date=1 June 2001}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/792028.stm |work=[[BBC News]] | title=C&A quits UK |date=15 June 2000}}</ref> [[Primark]] bought six C&A stores.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.prweek.com/article/526806/primark-put-brand-fashion | title=How Primark put brand in fashion | first=Hannah | last=Marriott | work=PR Week}}</ref>

In June 2009, C&A withdrew from the [[Argentinia]]n market.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.latinfinance.com/daily-briefs/2009/6/30/ca-pulls-out-of-argentina | title=C&A Pulls out of Argentina | work=[[LatinFinance]] | date=30 June 2009}}</ref> 

In the summer of 2010, [[Beyoncé]] released a clothing line, [[House of Deréon]], in cooperation with C&A.<ref>{{Cite news | title=Beyonce models her own Dereon clothing range for C&A |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/beyonce-models-her-own-dereon-clothing-range-224807 | work=[[Daily Mirror]] |date=28 May 2010}}</ref>

In May and June 2017, the company closed four stores in the Netherlands due to poor sales.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2016/10/ca-set-to-close-four-dutch-stores-because-of-poor-sales/ | title=C&A set to close four Dutch stores because of poor sales | work=Dutch News | date=27 October 2016}}</ref>

In February 2020, Grupo Axo agreed to buy C&A Mexico,<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://ww.fashionnetwork.com/news/C-a-mexico-is-sold-to-rival-grupo-axo,1189034.html | title=C&A Mexico is sold to rival Grupo Axo | work=Fashion Network | date=20 February 2020}}</ref> but cancelled the contract in March 2021. In June 2023 C&A Mexico was sold to Grupo Alfra, owner of the Mexican [[Cuidado con el Perro]] stores.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Celis |first1=Fernanda |title=Cuidado con el Perro adquiere C&A México, tras desistimiento de Axo |trans-title=Cuidado con el Perro acquires C&A Mexico, after Axo pulls out | url=https://www.axisnegocios.com/articulo.phtml?id=120465 |access-date=21 December 2023 |work=www.axisnegocios.com |date=15 June 2023 |language=es}}</ref> On 20 August 2020, C&A sold C&A China to Zhongke Tongrong Private Equity to operate the stores via [[franchising]].<ref>{{Cite press release |url=https://www.c-and-a.com/uk/en/corporate/company/newsroom/press-releases/2020/ca-ag-sells-its-china-operations-to-zhongke-tongrong-private-equity/ |title=C&A AG sells its China operations to Zhongke Tongrong Private Equity |website=c-and-a.com| date=20 August 2020}}</ref>

In 2021 and 2022, the company closed 70 stores and stated the goal of having half of its sales come from online channels by 2026.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.retaildetail.eu/news/fashion/why-ca-has-to-slim-down/ | title=Why C&A has to slim down | first=Stefan | last=Van Rompaey | work=Retail Detail | date=7 November 2022}}</ref> In March 2022, the company shut its ''Canda'' brand, which produced formalwear, due to the decline in sales as a result of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.just-style.com/news/cas-canda-international-unit-to-close-as-formalwear-popularity-wanes/ | title=C&A's Canda International unit to close as formalwear popularity wanes | first=Laura | last=Husband | work=Just Style | date=22 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://ww.fashionnetwork.com/news/C-a-closes-down-formal-wear-subsidiary-canda-international,1390256.html | title=C&A closes down formal wear subsidiary Canda International | first=Nicola | last=Mira | work=Fashion Network | date=23 March 2022}}</ref> In June 2022, C&A began selling clothing via [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]].<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.retaildetail.eu/news/fashion/ca-launches-on-amazon-fashion/ | title=C&A launches on Amazon Fashion | first=Stefan | last=Van Rompaey | work=Retail Detail | date=30 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.just-style.com/news/ca-launches-online-offering-with-amazon-fashion/ | title=C&A launches online offering with Amazon Fashion | first=Fi | last=Forrest | work=Just Style | date=30 June 2022}}</ref> Also in July 2022, it was discovered that C&A's Serbian division was the victim of customs fraud on the import of goods from China. The unpaid duties led to the Serbian division filing bankruptcy and closing its 14 stores.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.retaildetail.eu/news/fashion/ca-in-serbia-bankrupt-due-to-large-scale-customs-fraud/ | title=C&A in Serbia bankrupt due to large-scale customs fraud | first=Pauline |last=Neerman | work=Retail Detail | date=15 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.serbianmonitor.com/en/what-will-happen-to-ca-workers-in-serbia/ | title=What will happen to C&A workers in Serbia? | first=Snezana | last=Bjelotomic | work=Serbian Monitor | date=8 July 2022}}</ref>

==Corporate affairs==
===Ownership===
The company name is derived from the initials of its founders, Clemens (1818–1902) and August (1819–1892) Brenninkmeijer. The [[Brenninkmeijer family]] owns C&A through a Swiss firm named [[Cofra Holding|COFRA Holding AG]]. The company's success has led the Brenninkmeijer family to be ranked among the wealthiest in the Netherlands, but most members of the family actually live in [[Geneva]] and [[Zug]], Switzerland.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/walterloeb/2016/07/18/highly-secretive-c-a-brenninkmeijer-is-a-global-powerhouse-in-fashion-retailing/ | title=Highly Secretive C&A Brenninkmeijer Is A Global Powerhouse In Fashion Retailing | first=Walter | last=Loeb | work=[[Forbes]] | date=18 July 2016 | url-access=limited}}</ref>

===Brands===
C&A's brands, under which several of its goods are sold, include [[Angelo Litrico]], Avanti, Clockhouse, Here+There, Palomino, Rodeo, Westbury, Yessica, Yessica Pure, and Your Sixth Sense.

===Criticism===
In December 2021, the [[European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights]] filed a criminal complaint in a Dutch court against C&A and other brands, including [[Lidl]] and [[Hugo Boss]], alleging that they benefited from and were complicit in the use of [[forced labour]] by [[Uyghurs]] in [[Xinjiang]].<ref>{{Cite web| last=Adegeest |first=Don-Alvin |title=Nike, Patagonia named in European lawsuit as being complicit in 'forced labour' practices in Xinjiang, China| url=https://fashionunited.com/news/fashion/nike-patagonia-named-in-european-lawsuit-as-being-complicit-in-forced-labour-practices-in-xinjiang-china/2021120644306 |website=FashionUnited |date=2021-12-06}}</ref>

==Locations==
[[File:Sneek9.JPG|thumb|C&A in [[Sneek]], [[Netherlands]], where the company was founded.]]
[[File:Hochh%C3%A4user_Berlin.JPG|thumb|C&A in [[Berlin]], [[Germany]], with the [[Swissôtel Berlin]] in the same building.]]
As of 2023, C&A had stores in the following countries:<ref name=owned-store-count>{{cite web |title=C&A |url=https://chainxy.com/products/canda |website=ChainXY |access-date=19 December 2023 |language=en}}.</ref>
{| class= "wikitable sortable"
! Country
! No.<br/> of<br/>stores 
! As of
! 
|-
|Austria || 93 || June 2023 || <ref name=owned-store-count/>
|-
|Belgium || 97   || June 2023 || <ref name=owned-store-count/>
|-
|Brazil || 330+ || Dec. 2023 || <ref>{{cite web |title=Nossa história |trans-title=Our History |url=https://www.cea.com.br/Institucional/Conheca-a-CEA |website=C&A Brazil |access-date=21 December 2023 |language=pt-BR |quote=Atualmente, operamos com mais de 330 lojas em todo o território nacional}}</ref>
|-
|China || 23 || May 2023 ||<ref>{{cite web |last1=Team |first1=Dao |title=C&A gears up to reclaim presence in Beijing with new store |url=https://daoinsights.com/news/ca-gears-up-to-reclaim-presence-in-beijing-with-new-store/ |website=Dao Insights |access-date=21 December 2023 |date=25 May 2023}}</ref>
|-
|Croatia ||  23   || June 2023 || <ref name=owned-store-count/>
|-
|Czechia ||  40  || June 2023 || <ref name=owned-store-count/>
|-
|France ||  164   || June 2023 || <ref name=owned-store-count/>
|-
|Germany ||  403   || June 2023 || <ref name=owned-store-count/>
|-
|Hungary ||  34  || June 2023 || <ref name=owned-store-count/>
|-
|Iraq || 1 || June 2023 || <ref name=owned-store-count/>
|-
|Italy ||  10  || June 2023 || <ref name=owned-store-count/>
|-
|Luxembourg ||  7   || June 2023 || <ref name=owned-store-count/>
|-
|Mexico || 78 || June 2023 || <ref name=mexico2023>{{cite web |title=Press release: Grupo Alfar to acquire C&A Mexico and support growth strategy | date=15 June 2023 | url=https://www.cofraholding.com/media/teckgrrs/en-grupo-alfar-to-acquire-ca-mexico-and-support-growth-strategy.pdf |website=COFRA Holding |access-date=21 December 2023}}</ref>
|-
|Netherlands ||  97   || June 2023 || <ref name=owned-store-count/>
|-
|Poland || 51   || June 2023 || <ref name=owned-store-count/>
|-
|Portugal ||  27   || June 2023 || <ref name=owned-store-count/>
|-
|Romania ||  50   || June 2023 || <ref name=owned-store-count/>
|-
|Slovakia ||  15   || June 2023 || <ref name=owned-store-count/>
|-
|Slovenia ||  14   || June 2023 || <ref name=owned-store-count/>
|-
|Spain ||  81  || June 2023 || <ref name=owned-store-count/>
|-
|Switzerland ||  89  || June 2023 || <ref name=owned-store-count/>
|-
!Total !! ca. 1727+ || ||
|}

==In popular culture==
*[[The Specials]] referenced C&A in "Man at C&A" on the 1980 album ''[[More Specials]]''. The phrase "Man at C&A" was later used to typify someone who was unfashionable.<ref name=sadtale/><ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1361747.stm |work=[[BBC News]] | title=C&A closes UK doors for last time | date=31 May 2001}}</ref><ref name=muchloved/>
*In an episode of the sitcom ''[[Only Fools and Horses]],'' [[Del Boy]] tells his brother Rodney that when they become millionaires, their clothes will "come from Man at C&A".<ref name=muchloved>{{Cite news | url=https://www.dorset.live/news/history/heres-what-happened-much-loved-7233465 | title=Here's what happened to the much-loved Bournemouth C&A store | first=Dave | last=Doyle | publisher=[[Reach plc]] | date=23 June 2022}}</ref>
*The [[Belle and Sebastian]] song "Expectations" features a character who is given the choice between working at [[Debenhams]] and C&A "cause that's what they expect".<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.belleandsebastian.com/music/songs/tiger-milk/expectations/ | title=EXPECTATIONS | work=[[Belle and Sebastian]]}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category inline}}
* {{official website|https://www.c-and-a.com/}}

{{European Retail Round Table}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:CandA}}
[[Category:1841 establishments in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Clothing retailers of Germany]]
[[Category:Clothing brands of the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Clothing companies of Belgium]]
[[Category:Clothing companies of the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Companies based in Düsseldorf|CandA]]
[[Category:Defunct retail companies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Dutch brands]]
[[Category:Retail companies established in 1841]]
[[Category:Vilvoorde|CandA]]
[[Category:2020s fashion]]