Claire's has closed all 154 of its stores in the UK and Ireland, resulting in the loss of about 1,300 jobs, according to multiple reports. Chris Cramer, chief executive of Claire's, described the move as a difficult but necessary decision.
The US-based retailer first appeared on British high streets in the late 1990s, according to reports, and by the end of 2012 it had grown to more than 3,000 locations across North America and Europe, becoming a go-to destination for pre-teens and teenagers thanks to its affordable jewellery, accessories, and ear-piercing services. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2018 and again in August 2024, as confirmed by court filings. Following the most recent bankruptcy, the UK arm was placed into administration and subsequently acquired by Modella Capital, BBC News reported.
Claire's just wasn't cutting it in the same way anymore.
Experts attribute the closure to a post-pandemic decline in spending, fierce competition from online retailers, and an inability to keep pace with changing fashion trends. According to BBC News - Business, Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell, said the brand just wasn't cutting it in the same way anymore. Priya Raj, a fashion expert, told the same outlet that teenagers have shifted their spending to online platforms like Shein, Temu, TikTok Shop, Vinted, and Depop, where they can find cheap and trendy accessories. Raj also pointed out that Claire's failed to offer experiences such as make-up lessons that might have drawn shoppers into its stores.
According to BBC News - Business, Priya Raj argued that the UK collapse of Claire's illustrates the broader evolution in pre-teen and teen shopping habits over the last decade. She said the market has moved from a high-street driven, cookie cutter model to a social media-driven one that changes constantly. Raj added that Claire's simply provided products without offering a compelling reason for customers to visit.
It was a difficult decision but a necessary one.
The closure has sparked widespread nostalgia, with many on social media recalling childhood ear piercings and browsing the colourful shop displays. According to BBC News - Business, Lucy Craddock described it as very sad because the store was a big part of her childhood. Taylor Crouch remembered getting her ears pierced at Claire's when she was young, and Nell Campbell said it felt a little bit sad and that the shop definitely holds childhood memories.
The financial terms of the Modella Capital deal have not been disclosed, and no information has been released about the fate of the 1,300 employees or any potential plans to reopen or rebrand the stores.
It's very sad, because it's [our] childhood.
I got my ears pierced at Claire's when I was little.
a little bit sad
It definitely holds childhood memories.
Really the collapse of Claire's in the UK says a lot about how pre-teen and teen tastes and shopping preferences have evolved in the last decade.
We've gone from a high-street driven, cookie cutter approach to an evolving, social media driven market.
It just provided stuff. And that just wasn't enough to get people to go in.