C&A on Radio 4

[Maria Magenta]

I didn't hear all the programme, but what I heard was interesting. You got to hear about what it was like to work there for many years.

Sliced Bread - Toast - C&A's UK Stores - BBC Sounds

The fashion chain C&A continues to thrive elsewhere, so why did it shut all its UK stores?

www.bbc.co.uk

I wasn't sure whether this would be better in the Shops thread.

 

[Stokkie]

I didn't hear all the programme, but what I heard was interesting. You got to hear about what it was like to work there for many years.

Sliced Bread - Toast - C&A's UK Stores - BBC Sounds

The fashion chain C&A continues to thrive elsewhere, so why did it shut all its UK stores?

www.bbc.co.uk

I wasn't sure whether this would be better in the Shops thread.

Thanks, the programme is on BBC Sounds if you have the App. I didn't reckon much to the young mens clothes, but a few years later the lighting department was more stylish than Habitat and a fraction of the price.

 

[Maria Magenta]

Thanks, the programme is on BBC Sounds if you have the App. I didn't reckon much to the young mens clothes, but a few years later the lighting department was more stylish than Habitat and a fraction of the price.

I don't really remember the men's clothes. There was a range for women called Yessica (the name sticks in my mind), but I don't know what was special about it!

 

[Stokkie]

What was interesting in the programme as well is that C&A thrives in other European countries. The mistake seemingly was to have centralised buying, so one style of clothing was sold in all shops. Britain said to be fashion forward. C&A is unusual as it continues to be a family run private company.

 

[bradr2]

What was interesting in the programme as well is that C&A thrives in other European countries. The mistake seemingly was to have centralised buying, so one style of clothing was sold in all shops. Britain said to be fashion forward. C&A is unusual as it continues to be a family run private company.

That was interesting to hear, actually. It seems like C&A didn’t fail everywhere — the issue in Britain was more about strategy than the brand itself. Centralising buying and selling the same styles in every country doesn’t really work when tastes differ so much, especially in a market that sees itself as fashion‑forward. The fact that C&A is still a family‑owned company is pretty unusual these days and makes the story even more interesting.