Claire’s rescue deal saves 156 stores and 1,000 jobs

The future of fashion accessory chain Claire’s has been secured in the UK with the sale of more than half of its stores.

Modella Capital, which bought the WH Smith high street stores, has agreed to purchase “substantially most” of Claire’s UK, the joint administrators confirmed.

The new deal will save approximately 1,000 jobs and 156 stores, but 145 other stores could still close.

Natasha Harbinson, managing director at Interpath which led the sales process, said: “We are pleased to confirm a sale of the majority of Claire’s UK business and assets which will ensure this popular brand will continue to trade on high streets up and down the UK.”

Ms Harbinson added that the administrators had also secured a sale of the Claire’s business in Switzerland.

She said discussions will continue regarding the fate of other Claire’s entities in France, Italy and Poland.

The UK stores not currently included in the deal will remain open and will continue to trade while the administrators continue to assess their options.

Will Wright, Interpath’s UK chief executive and joint administrator, added: “Our intention is to continue to trade the remaining portfolio of stores for as long as we can, while we explore the options available.”

Claire’s collapsed into administration in the UK and Ireland on 13 August 2025, which put 2,150 jobs at risk.

At the time, Claire’s chief executive Chris Cramer said the “difficult” decision to appoint administrators allowed its stores to remain open.

On 20 August, Claire’s announced it had sold its North American business to private equity firm Ames Watson for $104m (£77m) and revealed it would close 290 stores in the US.

Claire’s had been particularly popular for its ear piercing services and was a common stop in the early 2000s for tweens and teens during weekend shopping trips across the world.

Its stores are known for their colourful selection of hair bands, earrings, jewellery, and occasionally for toys like slime and fluffy collectables.