Celebrating 10 Years | A Chat With The Team

As we looked back on 10 years of A&C, we spoke with our team about their favourite moments and the special memories that make A&C what it is today.

Enter our Big Birthday Giveaway here

Kim has been part of A&C since 2016 and has welcomed two beautiful babies along the way. Now our (temp) Graphic Designer, she created the 10th Birthday graphics—yes, that custom font is her handwriting! We're so lucky to have her back, even if just for a while.

When did you start with A&C and what were you doing for the business then?
I started at A&C back in 2015 as a shop girl for the pop-up in Takapuna. I got the job through a friend and was a bit starstruck at Alex to be honest! I worked in the shop the day after my 21st (rough) and had noooo idea I’d still be in the business in some capacity at 30 years old! I worked weekends in the BLOC store when it opened, then ran the webstore, ran the social media accounts, wrote copy, and then came on full-time as the Graphic Designer and Photographer once I graduated. I’ve popped away to travel and have babies but somehow always find my way back to this lovely place!

In your opinion, how has A&C changed over the years?
A&C has always had a great balance of being ahead of the trends yet timeless and I think it continues to do so. The signature earthy tones and use of beautiful, natural materials are what makes it A&C – but as a colour enthusiast myself I’ve loved the pops of colour and fun that has been incorporated over the last few years, too.

Favourite A&C product ever?
Ooooooh, that’s a tough one. I have a couple of the Arnold Circus Stools which I just love, but the oldest A&C product in my house is a Moroccan Pouf from the pop-up days! It must be ten years old this year then?! Crazy!

Any funny moments or mistakes that stand out?
As the graphic designer I’ve definitely made a few typos that have pained me – especially things like incorrect phone numbers on business cards… whoops! Honestly, the thing I’ve loved about working for a small, family-run business is that you can just try new things out and get to know aspects of the operations you would never usually see – and mistakes are okay! That’s how so many of us here have been able to move around the business and up-skill and I feel so grateful for that. 

Meet Hannah, our lovely Retail Area Manager. She started at our Bloc store, where her creativity, kindness, and amazing customer service shone. Now, she nurtures and supports our entire retail team. A social superstar and talented baker, we’re so lucky to have her. 

What are some of the moments that stand out with the team or from the shop floor?
I think it’s mainly the friendships we all develop working in this company. Even when people start to move onto other projects or areas of their lives we still have these lasting friendships with everyone which is pretty rare to make this many friends in one place.

Has the in-store experience changed at A&C over the years or has it stayed the same? 
While retail may have slowed its pace on the shop floor in recent years, it's given us the opportunity to really chat with our customers and spend more time with them. 

If you could only pick one, what's your all-time favourite A&C product?
I think the olive wide stripe bedding we did quite a few years ago. I think about it all the time, and really regret not getting it as a staple bedding piece.

Any funny customer stories you can share?
I have had quite a few interesting experiences across all of our stores throughout the years. I think the best though are our regulars that came into store every week. I’m not in stores as often as I used to be, but they still remember all of the little details about our lives, it’s a really sweet experience.

Meet Jess, our Warehouse Wonder Woman! For six years, she’s been our incredible Warehouse Manager, keeping everything organised with her sharp eye for detail. A daily problem-solver and a stocktake wizard, we’re so lucky to have her

When did you start with A&C and what were you doing for the business then?
I joined A&C in 2019 as a Warehouse Manager. At that time, the business was smaller, and my role was very hands-on. I was responsible for packing stock for the stores, managing stock, and physically moving stock around the warehouse to ensure everything was well organised. It was a busy and physically demanding role, but I really enjoyed being involved in the day-to-day operations and making sure everything was where it needed to be.

As the company has grown and evolved, we’ve expanded our team and brought on a warehouse assistant, which has allowed me to shift my focus to more operational and logistical tasks. My role is now more computer-based, involving stock management and ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. While I’m still involved in the warehouse operations, my job now is more about making sure processes run efficiently and that everything is in place to support the stores. It’s been great to see how the business has developed and to grow alongside it!

Thinking back, what are some of the moments that stand out to you?
Looking back, one of the biggest standout moments for me was managing stock, shipments, and warehouse space during the pandemic. It was such a crazy time—everything was changing constantly, and we had to adapt really quickly to keep up with demand and make sure things kept running smoothly.

But looking back, as tough as it was, it was also a huge learning experience. It really pushed us to be more efficient, more flexible, and to constantly find new ways to improve how we did things. It was really rewarding to see how we pulled together as a team to stay on top of things.

In your opinion, how has A&C changed over the years
A&C has changed a lot over the six years I’ve been here. When I first started, the business was smaller. Over time, we’ve grown so much—not just in size, but in the way we operate.

One of the biggest changes has been expanding our own product lines. We’ve gone from being mainly known for our bedding to creating a whole range of products, including clothing, furniture, lighting, and serveware.  Seeing how much we’ve developed and how well our own product lines have been received has been incredible.

With that growth, we’ve also had to adapt behind the scenes. Our warehouse operations, stock management, and logistics have all had to scale up to keep up with demand. It’s been amazing to be part of that journey and see how much A&C has developed over the years.

Favourite A&C product ever
It’s honestly so hard to pick just one favourite A&C product, because every season there’s something new that I love. But if I had to choose, I’d say my stonewashed cotton bedding is definitely my favourite. It’s really soft and comfortable to sleep in, and it always looks so fresh and crisp. It’s one of those products that just makes a difference in how you feel at the end of the day, super cosy, looks great and totally worth it.

Any moments take really stand out to you?
One moment that really stands out is when we were opening the Christchurch store, just as Auckland went into lockdown. We had everything set up—stock was ready, the store was looking beautiful and we were all set to open. Then Auckland went into lockdown, and everyone from head office had to rush back home.

But the Christchurch team really stepped up and did an amazing job of getting the store up and running. Despite everything that happened, they made it happen. It was a pretty stressful time, but also one of those moments that showed how resilient and dedicated our team is.

Meet Kerry and Abbe, the sisters-in-law behind A&C Homestore.  Kerry, Managing Director, brings her expertise in online and numbers, ensuring the business runs smoothly and Abbe, Head of Brand, leads with a vision for style and storytelling.

Kerry: What’s been the most rewarding part of this journey so far?
I think the most rewarding part is having the opportunity to work alongside our fabulous staff and our lovely and loyal customers. Their genuine interest in our products and people is truly heartwarming. I’m proud to be a part of such a positive environment where our staff go the extra mile to understand our customers' needs, what projects they are working on, and provide exceptional service. This commitment to our customer’s is what makes being a part of the A&C team so special.

Kerry: What are some of the moments that stand out to you over the past few years?
One of the best things about working here is the cakes and all the lovely food.  Thanks to our creative and talented team, not only do they make everything look visually stunning, but they also taste so good.  

Another highlight is when large deliveries arrive (like Linen), and everyone pitches in to unload all the boxes, and then witness the excitement as we unbox our stunning new linen collections.

Kerry: What’s your favourite product and why?
I love the Hug chairs, they are so comfortable and they look so good. I have two in each colour in different parts of my outdoor space. They are also super easy to clean and stack away over the Winter. 

Hello Abbe
Abbe: What’s one of your favourite memories? 

We’d spent a few months working in the business, learning the ropes from Alex, but on our very first day of officially taking over, the team surprised us with a lovely handmade sign, beautiful flowers, and even a ribbon across the door for a ceremonial ribbon-cutting. It was such a special moment, and we felt lucky to be stepping into a business with a supportive team.

Abbe: How do you keep the brand’s creativity and vision fresh?
We keep our brand fresh by exploring new ideas and staying curious and creative, all while staying true to our roots. We are always on the lookout for inspiration and this comes from various sources, including my travels, everyday life, and global influences like pop culture, catwalks, and international retail trends. I love discovering innovative concepts and finding ways to incorporate them into our brand in our own unique way.  

Abbe: Are there any fun or surprising behind-the-scenes stories that customers wouldn’t know about?
One thing that might surprise our customers is our weekly photoshoots. We've got our own studio right in our HQ, and these shoots are a vital part of what makes A&C unique. They are always fun and all of the team have a hand in planning, styling and creating these shoots. They are very important as they help keep our content fresh, exciting, and uniquely ours.