C&A

Dutch group active in the manufacture and distribution of clothing. It is among the world’s leaders. Its yearly turnover (an average in the early 1990s) amounts to 10,000 billion liras. The acronym is composed of the names of the brothers Clemens and August Brenninkmeijer, who in 1841 in Sneek, Holland established a clothing factory. The first C&A shop was opened in 1861. It was a success because it offered, ahead of its time, ready-to-wear fashion at cheap prices. In 1910 it began expanding throughout Holland and then abroad, where other family members opened new shops: the first was in Germany (1911), followed by England (1922), Belgium (1963), France (1972), Switzerland (1977), Luxembourg (1982), Spain (1983), Austria (1984), Portugal (1991), and, finally, Denmark (1995), for a total of 550 shops and a staff of 40,000 people. It offers clothing for children, men, and women in different styles and at different prices, all in the same location. The brands offered by the company, which is today still owned by the family, are Westbury, Jinglers, Palomino, Clockhouse, Rodeo, Your & Sense, Baby Club, Angelo Litrico, Yessica, Canda, and Here & There.