C&A has announced significant changes to its operations in France, revealing plans to close 24 stores across the country, which will impact more than 300 jobs. This restructuring decision comes amid ongoing financial difficulties the company faces in the competitive landscape of the French retail market.
On March 21, 2025, during an extraordinary central social and economic committee, C&A's management confirmed the closures as part of a broader strategy intended to enhance its competitiveness and ensure long-term sustainability. The announced layoffs are part of an eighth job preservation plan (PSE) implemented by the company, which has struggled with declining sales and market positioning.
The affected stores span across various regions, including Île-de-France, Hauts-de-France, and the Grand Est. For instance, specific locations named include stores in Compiègne and Plessis-Belleville in Picardy, as well as others in Louvroil, Arras, and Vauxbuin. In total, this closure plan involves shutting down not only the standalone stores but also 57 'corners' located predominantly within hypermarkets like Carrefour and Auchan, leading to an additional 93 layoffs.
Organizations like the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) have been vocal about the negative implications of these closures. In a recent statement, they commented, "C&A is chaining PSEs as if they were sales periods, and it is the workers who are once again being sacrificed." This remark underscores the union's concern for employee welfare amidst corporate decision-making. Indeed, over the last few years, C&A has already cut approximately 800 positions, demonstrating a troubling trend of workforce reductions.
The announced closures come as part of a critical restructuring effort within C&A, tasked with addressing structural difficulties while striving to remain viable in a challenging economic environment. The company has acknowledged these issues and noted that the job cuts are necessary to streamline operations. "This plan is part of C&A's European strategy to ensure the company's sustainability, enabling us to better meet consumer needs and return to profitability, thereby ensuring the future of our 184-year-old brand," stated a representative from C&A.
The potential closure of these stores doesn't just impact the employees directly involved but also poses broader implications for the local economy and the retail sector in France, which has seen several major players announce similar measures in recent times. C&A has 1,250 stores spread across 17 countries, with a significant presence not only in France but also in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. However, amidst these closures, the company has assured stakeholders that there are no current plans for large-scale store closures in either Belgium or the Netherlands, which contrasts the situation in France.
As the restructuring process unfolds, C&A has pledged to engage with unions and offer comprehensive social support to the workers affected by these layoffs. Ongoing discussions are expected to determine how best to assist those impacted by the store closures and the associated displacement.
This latest move by C&A is indicative of the difficult waters many retailers in the fashion industry are currently navigating. With fashion brands like Kookaï, Kaporal, and others having also faced significant challenges recently, the industry is rife with tension as businesses adapt to rapidly changing consumer behaviors and economic pressures.
In conclusion, the announcement of the impending closures and job losses at C&A reflects a concerning trend within the fashion retail sector in France. With the threat of significant job losses looming, the impact of this plan will likely be felt both within C&A as a brand and in the larger context of France's retail landscape.
