Morstaple Claire closes files for many stores, bankruptcy
Claire is seeking “strategic alternatives” through Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and plans to close 18 US stores as they navigate economic pressures.
Many young children can buy BFF and magnetic friendship necklaces, faw multi-colored notebooks, or squeeze tightly and tightly clench a stuffed teddy bear. Shoppers are now lamenting this part of their childhood as Claire prepares to close nearly 300 stores across the US as they are a self-described sparkly pen user.
Claire’s Holdings LLC announced this month that it had sold its North American business to private equity firm Ames Watson for $104 million. As a result, 291 stores will be closed, as outlined in the court filing on August 25th.
The closing shop has 235 Claire locations and 56 icing stores, the latter categorized as the “adult” version of Claire.
“This was the growth of my favourite and favourite store,” Tiktok user Erika Angel said in a video on August 14th while visiting Claire with two friends. “I have so many memories. I hate that she can’t shop at Clare if she has a daughter. I shaped me into a diva today.
The closure comes after Claire filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on August 6th.
“I literally come to my favorite store.”
Several content creators have joined social media to share their final Claire walkthroughs and favorite memories at retailers.
In a video for Tiktok earlier this month, creator Angelina PJ recalled buying a friendship necklace at elementary school for each of her friend’s birthdays.
“I don’t understand that, but Claire’s, you actually brought me so many memories,” she said in the video. “This was the first place I had piercings and I would always drag mommy here after elementary school to buy some cute jewels and hair accessories. Needless to say, the kids went to Sephora and got new makeup.
Tiktok user Sarah Mackenzie said “it’s bittersweet to check out at Claire at the end,” recalling visiting the store as a child.
“When I was a kid, this was literally my favorite store, along with hot topics,” MacKensize said in an August 27 video.
But it’s not surprising to anyone else, such as creator Kentz, Claire’s bankruptcy and closure of Toys “R” Us and Forever 21.
In a Tiktok video posted on August 10, Kenz said the “Sephora Kids” trends and the prevalence of online shopping have exhausted Tween Shopping’s target audience, which is in-person.
“I was shocked that they remained open as long as they were doing it like they were true,” Kentz said. “There’s no more markets. There’s no more target audience for these stores to continue to open because the generation behind us isn’t acting as we’re acting. They want to grow up. These kids don’t want to be kids.”
Shoppers celebrate blowout prices
In addition to mourning, social media users share Claire’s haul at a low price.
In a recent video, Tiktok user Cloe Belle showed off a $200 worth of gem that she bought for $10 at the closing location. Tiktok user Tyti shared a similar video and showed her followers $240 worth of jewelry, which she bought for $4.50.
Which Claire stores are closed? When is the store you selected nearby?
The 291 Claire and Icing Store will be closed on a rolling base, the company confirmed to USA Today. The exact date has not been revealed.
Click on the list to map the map below, and set Claire and Icing Store to close:
Why is Claire closed?
Based in Hoffman Estate, Illinois, Claire has struggled since filing for bankruptcy in March 2018.
Supported by hedge fund Elliott Management and Monarch’s alternative capital, Claire operates in over 2,300 retailers in 17 countries across North America and Europe, including traditional Claire stores, 210 Claire locations embedded in Walmart stores, and 120 icing stores. The company also operates 9,000 concession kiosks within the mall.
Challenges include an increase in the ultra-adult online first fashion site Shein and Temu, which has been reduced to sales of the jewelry store chain, rising interest rates on goods from China, inflation and tariffs.
Contributed by Jim Sergent, USA Today
Gretacross is a national trend reporter for USA Today. Story ideas? Please email her gcross@usatoday.com.