Jewellery and accessories chain Claire’s is closing its remaining UK stores on Monday, resulting in more than 1,000 job losses and ending a three-decade presence on British high streets. Administrators at Kroll confirmed that all remaining shops ceased trading on Monday, with all store employees advised of redundancy.
The closures mark the end of a prolonged decline for the retailer, which had 154 stores when it collapsed into administration in January. Staff have been asked to pack up final stock and equipment after successive waves of closures in recent weeks. The move does not affect the company’s 356 concessions, including many in Asda stores, or its head office.
Talks are ongoing to find a new owner for the Claire’s brand in the UK, with French entrepreneur Julien Jarjoura, who controls the brand in several mainland European countries, considered a potential buyer. Kroll stated that an interested party is in discussions with landlords to take new leases for some sites.
The UK arm of Claire’s struggled as sales fell amid competition from online retailers like Amazon and social media platforms such as TikTok. The US-based parent company filed for bankruptcy in the US and Canada for the second time in seven years, compounding difficulties for the UK division.
Claire’s arrived in the UK in 1996 through the acquisition of accessories chain Bow Jangles and became a staple in British shopping centres. Founded in Chicago in 1961, the group operated more than 2,750 stores across 17 countries. Unsecured creditors, including suppliers and landlords, are owed £10.6 million, with Kroll not expecting to pay out to them.
