C&A stung by media criticism

DÜSSELDORF – German retailer C&A has hit back at media criticism that it cancelled millions of dollars’ worth of orders and refused to compensate suppliers. The business referred to a harshly worded letter to suppliers – which was leaked to the media – in which orders were cancelled and no offer of compensation was made. The fact that C&A has decided to issue a statement on the issue shows that the fierce media criticism it has come in for has clearly touched a nerve. The business will also unquestionably be deeply concerned about the impact of its diminished reputation on its charitable foundation, Laudes (formerly C&A Foundation).

Showing its stock-in-trade lack of self-awareness, Laudes just this past week spoke of how “transparency is one of the most important means for improving accountability across industries.” This at a time when C&A has spent the past month ducking and diving from the media on the issue of cancelled orders.