C&A, which ranks highly in the latest Fashion Transparency Index published by Fashion Revolution, advocates for greater transparency in the industry's supply chains, and confirms its commitment to more sustainable fashion in 2023 as outlined in its Global Sustainability Report.
C&A has more than 1,400 stores in 18 European countries and 31,000 employees. In France, it has 120 stores and employs 2,100 people. As of this summer, C&A's French headquarters have moved from Rue de Rivoli in Paris to 10 Avenue de l'Arche in Courbevoie, near the C&A department store Les 4 Temps.
The global retailer closed 2020 in compliance with all its green commitments and has outlined a global sustainability strategy until 2028. C&A is a pioneer in the use of organic and more sustainable cotton in large-scale distribution and wants 100% of its core materials to be more sustainable by 2028.
One of the new targets announced is to achieve 100 % sustainable sourcing of raw materials. These raw materials include OCS or GOTS-certified organic cotton, BCI cotton, viscose under the Canopy Style initiative, GRS, Recycled 100 Claim Standard or equivalent certified recycled polyester, and RDS (Responsible Down Standard).
In addition, the company also wants to invest in circularity to extend the life of seven out of ten products by 2028 and replace the use of single-use plastics in-store, online and in the value chain with sustainable alternatives in the same timeframe.
Another target aims to apply the principles of the circular economy, innovate to advance this model and extend the life of 7 out of 10 products. A program that will be reinforced and developed thanks to the opening in autumn 2022 of a textile innovation factory in Mönchengladbach (Germany), which will specialize mainly in denim.
Finally, one of the latest objectives is to replace 50 % of single-use plastics in stores, the e-boutique and the supply chain with sustainable alternatives.
C&A to Invest in Circularity
The “Wear the Change” campaign was adopted y C&A as part of its rebranding in 2020, which also included a new logo and a greater focus on sustainability. The new strategic plan will apply in Europe, Brazil, Mexico and China. In 2020, the company fell just short of its strategic goal of using only the "most sustainable" cotton, with a share that reached 96% of the total, up from 53% in 2016.
The group did exceed its target of using 67% more sustainable materials (taking into account all categories) and produced the first Cradle to Cradle Certified denim fabric. The group, owned by Cofra Holding, has nearly 1,400 stores in 18 European countries and some 24,000 employees. Earlier this year, the company announced the construction of a denim factory in Germany that will focus on sustainable production techniques, an unprecedented move within mass retailing.
In recent years, the entire industry has accelerated its commitment to sustainability, under pressure from increasing legislation. Giants such as H&M and Inditex also have ambitious goals in this direction.