After closing all its 154 UK stores and making approximately 1,300 employees redundant, Claire’s is now planning a comeback by opening 50 new stores on the high street. The move to shut down the stores was announced by administrators at Kroll earlier this week, but it did not affect the brand’s 356 concessions in Asda stores and its head office.
According to recent reports from The Guardian, Julien Jarjoura, the operator of Claire’s shops in several European countries, is in talks to reopen four to 10 stores per week starting from June. These new stores will be self-funded by Mr. Jarjoura and will feature revamped offerings, including jewelry and accessories priced from £1.90 to over £100, along with ear-piercing services.
Claire’s, a brand that originated in the US and entered the UK market in 1996, has faced challenges from online competitors in recent years. The private equity owner, Modella Capital, appointed Kroll to manage the administration after disappointing Christmas trading results. This marks the second administration for Claire’s, as Modella Capital had previously acquired the brand from administration in September last year.
Mr. Jarjoura, who oversees around 240 Claire’s stores in Europe and attempted to purchase the brand earlier this year, expressed optimism about revitalizing the brand, stating, “The brand was basically dead, and we’re bringing it back to life.”
For consumers with outstanding orders at Claire’s, consumer expert Kat Cereda advised on seeking recourse through credit card protections like section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act for purchases over £100, or chargeback for lower-cost items. Claiming through Claire’s administrators is also an option, although it may involve a lengthy process.
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