Claire's closes all standalone stores in UK and Ireland, 1,300 jobs lost

Claire's has closed all 154 of its standalone stores across the UK and Ireland as of 27 April 2026.

The fashion accessories chain's administrators confirmed the shutdown amid ongoing financial difficulties.

Around 1,300 employees have been notified of redundancy following the closures.

The closures do not affect Claire's 350 concessions, including those in major supermarkets, which will remain open.

The company entered administration twice within a year, with private equity owner Modella Capital appointing administrators Kroll earlier this year.

Kroll stated that discussions are underway with landlords about potentially taking new leases for some of the former store sites.

The closures come after a period of "alarming" low Christmas trading and a challenging retail environment.

Claire's has faced intense competition from cheaper online brands and changing consumer tastes.

The brand, once known for its colourful jewellery and ear piercing services popular with teenagers, struggled to adapt to evolving preferences.

Experts note that younger consumers now favour more minimal and curated jewellery styles influenced by social media rather than traditional high street shopping.

The retailer also faced competition from other bricks-and-mortar stores such as Primark and Superdrug, as well as shifts in youth spending habits towards experiences like desserts and specialty drinks.

Modella Capital cited government policies increasing staffing costs, including National Insurance Contributions, as factors contributing to the difficult trading conditions.

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