C&A Plans Closure of 24 Stores in France, Impacting Over 300 Jobs
The retailer aims to enhance competitiveness amid ongoing challenges in the French clothing market.
C&A, a historic clothing retailer founded in 1841, has announced plans to close 24 stores in France, affecting up to 324 employees.
The company, which currently operates 100 stores and employs 1,500 people in the country, revealed the restructuring initiative on March 14 during a central social and economic committee meeting.
The decision comes as part of a strategy to improve competitiveness in a declining French clothing market, where C&A has faced persistent difficulties despite prior adjustments.
The labor union CGT criticized the announcement, stating that this would be the eighth restructuring plan and that 800 jobs have already been lost in previous initiatives.
The stores slated for closure are reportedly experiencing structural challenges, and the company also plans to discontinue all 57 of its retail 'corners' located within partner stores like Intermarché, Carrefour, and Auchan, as contracts could not be renewed.
In response to decreasing product volumes, C&A is also restructuring its distribution center located in Seine-et-Marne.
As part of the restructuring effort, C&A stated that a comprehensive social support package will be negotiated in the coming weeks with employee representation, which will include opportunities for job reassignment and support measures for affected employees.
C&A operates 1,300 stores across 17 European countries and employs a total of approximately 25,000 individuals globally.
The brand began as C&A Brenninkmeijer, focusing on linen and cotton, before evolving into ready-to-wear clothing by 1890, and it celebrated the opening of its 1,000th store in 2006. Today, C&A's product range includes affordable clothing for men, women, and children.
The company, which currently operates 100 stores and employs 1,500 people in the country, revealed the restructuring initiative on March 14 during a central social and economic committee meeting.
The decision comes as part of a strategy to improve competitiveness in a declining French clothing market, where C&A has faced persistent difficulties despite prior adjustments.
The labor union CGT criticized the announcement, stating that this would be the eighth restructuring plan and that 800 jobs have already been lost in previous initiatives.
The stores slated for closure are reportedly experiencing structural challenges, and the company also plans to discontinue all 57 of its retail 'corners' located within partner stores like Intermarché, Carrefour, and Auchan, as contracts could not be renewed.
In response to decreasing product volumes, C&A is also restructuring its distribution center located in Seine-et-Marne.
As part of the restructuring effort, C&A stated that a comprehensive social support package will be negotiated in the coming weeks with employee representation, which will include opportunities for job reassignment and support measures for affected employees.
C&A operates 1,300 stores across 17 European countries and employs a total of approximately 25,000 individuals globally.
The brand began as C&A Brenninkmeijer, focusing on linen and cotton, before evolving into ready-to-wear clothing by 1890, and it celebrated the opening of its 1,000th store in 2006. Today, C&A's product range includes affordable clothing for men, women, and children.
