Claire's has closed all 154 standalone stores in the UK and Ireland, leaving around 1,300 employees redundant. The fashion accessories chain, known for jewellery and ear-piercing, entered administration after weak Christmas trading. The closures do not affect its 356 concessions, including those in Asda stores, or its head office.
This is the second administration for Claire's in under a year. Modella Capital, which also owns TG Jones and Hobbycraft, bought the brand from administration in September 2024 but placed it into insolvency again in early 2025. Administrators Kroll confirmed that all standalone stores ceased trading on April 27.
Customers with gift cards or pending orders face uncertainty. Which? consumer expert Kat Cereda advised that shoppers may be able to claim via Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act for purchases over £100, or through chargeback for smaller amounts. Claims can also be submitted to administrators, but recovery is not guaranteed.
Claire's first launched in the UK in 1996 and expanded rapidly, but struggled against low-priced online competitors. The brand's future now depends on potential new leases for some sites, as an interested party is in discussions with landlords.
