Claire’s has shut down all its UK stores, marking the end of its three-decade presence on British high streets. The closures result in over 1,000 job losses.
As of April 27, all 154 standalone Claire’s stores in the UK and Ireland have ceased trading. A spokesman from Kroll confirmed this development.
The company faced challenges from online retailers like Amazon and TikTok, which significantly impacted sales. Claire’s entered administration in January 2026 after struggling to compete.
When the company collapsed, it had around 1,300 jobs lost overall. The closures include locations in Essex such as Braintree, Chelmsford, and Romford.
Despite these closures, Claire’s still operates 356 concession outlets within Asda stores. These outlets remain unaffected by the recent shutdowns.
The UK arm of Claire’s has paused its website, preventing customers from purchasing products online. This decision adds to the uncertainty surrounding the brand’s future in the UK.
All store employees have been advised of redundancy. They face an uncertain future as they seek new employment opportunities.
Kroll noted that an interested party is discussing new leases for some of the sites. However, no further details about these discussions have been disclosed.
Founded in Chicago in 1961, Claire’s entered the UK market in 1996. It quickly became known for its fashion accessories aimed at young consumers.
The future of the Claire’s brand in the UK is unclear as it navigates these significant changes. Observers are watching closely to see how this impacts the broader retail landscape.
