Claire’s UK and Ireland Operations Enter Administration, 2,150 Jobs in Jeopardy
Fashion accessories retailer Claire’s has entered administration in the UK and Ireland, placing more than 2,150 jobs at risk amid mounting financial pressures and intensifying competition from online and fast-fashion rivals.
The chain, which runs 278 stores across the UK and 28 in Ireland, will keep all outlets open for now while administrators from Interpath Advisory explore rescue options. Potential scenarios include selling the business in a bid to safeguard the brand’s future.
Claire’s chief executive, Chris Cramer, described the decision as “difficult” but said it would allow trading to continue while plans are assessed. The brand, once a go-to destination for young shoppers seeking ear piercings, colourful accessories, and novelty items, has seen its popularity wane in recent years as consumer habits shift.
The company has stopped issuing refunds, halted new online orders, and will not ship pending orders. Customers awaiting deliveries will not be charged, while those seeking refunds are being advised to contact their card providers.
For many, the announcement marks the end of an era. Shoppers like Caitlin, 21, and Amy, 16, from Oxfordshire, expressed sadness, recalling how the store had been a staple of their childhood. “It’s aimed towards younger people and I don’t think there’s anything else quite like it,” Caitlin said.
The administration follows Claire’s bankruptcy filing in the United States earlier this month, where it cited $690 million (£508 million) in debt and declining footfall. Similar to the UK, its American stores remain open while strategic options are reviewed.
Analysts point to a combination of rising import costs, changes in youth shopping habits, and fierce competition from online platforms like TikTok and Instagram sellers, as well as low-cost giants such as Shein and Temu. “Once a key name on the high street, Claire’s now struggles to match the speed and reach of digital-first rivals,” said Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown.
Retail experts note that tariffs on goods sourced from Asia, introduced during Donald Trump’s presidency, also tightened margins for accessory retailers with low price points.
Claire’s, which operates under both the Claire’s and Icing brands, is owned by a consortium of firms including investment giant Elliott Management.
