The retail chain 'C&A' was founded as a textile company in 1841, in which country?

'C&A' is an international chain of fashion retail clothing stores, with European head offices in Vilvoorde, Belgium, and Düsseldorf, Germany. It has retail stores in many European countries. It serves only the largest markets of Asia, North America and South America. 'C&A' brands include Angelo Litrico, Canda, Clockhouse, Here+There, Palomino, Rodeo (ski and snowboard clothes), Westbury, Yessica, Yessica Pure, and Your Sixth Sense.

The Brenninkmeijer family owns the 'C&A' group through its Swiss company Cofra Holding AG. The company's success has led the family to be considered, by the Dutch, among the wealthiest in the Netherlands. The Brenninkmeijer family, however, live in Geneva and Zug, Switzerland.

The company was founded by brothers Clemens and August Brenninkmeijer in 1841 as a Dutch textile company, taking its company name from their initials. In 1906 Clemens' son, Bernard Joseph, started discounting in Amsterdam (Rekenen in Centen, in plaats van Procenten) and by 1910 there were ten stores in the Netherlands. These were from the German Brenninkmeyer family that traded in linen and textiles since the 17th century from its hometown of Mettingen, Germany.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

Test your knowledge

What are your thoughts on this subject?

12 Comments

Felicity Hewitt

I can remember C and A in Dundee when I was little. My mum said C and A stood for “Coats and ’Ats” (hats)

Raymond Cardona

I live in the largest city in Canada and I have never heard of this company Bonnie

Jerry Edwards

This one is quite SNEEKy, SPG. (See what I did there 😁) The reference used says both Germany and Netherlands. It states the town of Sneek in Netherlands but also that it was founded in 1841 in Mettingen Germany. Naughty one from you, there.

Val Wilkinson

Many towns too, a sad loss Christina McKenzie,

Val Wilkinson

I loved C & A when I was young

Ketan Patel

Still remember shopping with my parents at the C&A store on Wembley High Street in the 70s and 80s. Fond memories.

Susan Madanat

I always thought they were a German company as when they closed here the press reported that they were still operating in Germany.

Susan Madanat

Remember shopping there in their Kingston branch (now a WIlko store, their second one now a rebuilt Primark. Their clothes were very good quality and I still have some of them.