With 7 stores in the South East of England and a head office in Tunbridge Wells, C&H have developed their business significantly since the early fabric shops started in 1933.

In the company’s own words: ‘Our trade is heavily labour intensive, and the strength of the Company lies in its staff; in their attitudes, specialist knowledge, and commitment.  A retail company is judged daily by customers on how well every member, in every store, performs.’

It is therefore important that the head office control systems for the ledgers and personnel records (with over 400 staff) are accurate, easy to administer and are able to provide management information quickly. Having used Retail Accounts for some time, it was decided to integrate the accounting function with the EPOS tills throughout the group early in 2009. One of the challenges is that C&H utilise outsourced labour at every branch for making up and finishing curtains, which needs to be handled through the Purchase Ledger.

Touchretail have incorporated this, along with the ability to match tills to cash taken and banking details, into their Retail Accounts Central Cash Office Module.

C&H stores typically offer curtains and blinds and accessories, furniture, upholstery and cushions, fabrics, knitting wools, sewing accessories, crafts and gifts – with most stores also offering their customers an excellent coffee shop, and of course there is the online store at http://www.candh.co.uk/