Strategies that are as unique as your brand
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From furniture to books to jewelery, and everything in between, our team has experience globally across the spectrum of retail categories.

Working with a range of market-leading and disruptive brands, our expertise in specialty retail extends across categories including apparel, department stores, collectable assets, and personal services.

Our knowledge of the nuances of diverse international consumers ensures we maintain a customer-centric, hands-on approach throughout.

This specific sub-category of retail continues to be a particular focus for investor activity. We understand the levers to create value in these industries and regularly provide buy- and sell-side commercial diligence of category specialists and discount retailers on behalf of private equity and other institutional investors.

How we can help

  • 01

    Operating model re-design

  • 02

    Category strategy development and commercial optimization

  • 03

    Store experience, service model, and labour optimization

  • 04

    Digital strategy and proposition development

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Contact our Speciality team

Suggested reports

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Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Private Equity Transactions 2025

Explore sector insights, key highlights from the successful deals we supported across our core specialisms in 2025, and a glimpse into what 2026 holds.
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Value Creation in Private Equity Closing the MOIC Gap report front cover

Monday, November 24, 2025

Driving Value Creation in Private Equity

Private equity is at a turning point. Fundraising has slowed, exits are bottlenecked, and financial-engineering tailwinds are fading. But opportunity remains for those who...
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Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Private Equity Transactions 2024

Explore sector insights, key highlights from the successful deals we supported across our core specialisms in 2024, and a glimpse into what 2025 holds...
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Monday, February 20, 2023

Doing more with less

Overproduction is a long-lasting, deep-rooted problem for brands. 15-45 billion items of clothing produced every year are wasted, mostly ending up in landfill or incinerated. This...
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Friday, October 21, 2022

All about value

In this, our 12th annual Retail Proposition Index, published at a time when consumers are grappling with cost-of-living pressures and confidence is at a...
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Suggested articles

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Thursday, September 24, 2026

Textile EPR in Europe: Why Fashion Needs to Prepare Now

Europe’s approach to textile waste is changing. Under a revised EU Waste Framework Directive, responsibility for the end of a product’s life is shifting...
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Monday, September 14, 2026

Widening the Launch Window: Reigniting the Investment Thesis in European Foodservice

At a recent breakfast we hosted in partnership with Goldman Sachs, we brought together leading European private equity investors to discuss a simple question:...
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Friday, June 26, 2026

AI does not create success – but it amplifies what is creating success: Resilience and Relevance

OC&C partners joined retail industry leaders at the 2025 K5 Future Retail Conference, to explore the forces shaping retail and how leaders can navigate...
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Thursday, June 11, 2026

The New Luxury Equation: from Awareness to Desirability

A more mature luxury market is reshaping the industry's outlook. While growth can no longer be taken for granted, discussions at the RLC Fashion...
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Friday, May 8, 2026

Getting Fit for the Fight

State of the Retail Nation: reflections from retail CEO interviews and the World Retail Congress, Berlin
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