Sat, 16 Aug 2025

Sat, 16 Aug 2025 Nerd glasses and friendship necklaces: Claire's was heaven until Shein came along

As the future of the chain hangs in the balance, what made tweenagers fall in love with its quirky charm?

* Claire's has appointed administrators in the UK and Ireland due to falling sales and high competition.
* The company has stopped online sales, but its 278 stores in the UK and 28 in Ireland will continue trading while it considers a possible sale or restructuring.
* Claire's was a popular destination for young people in the late 1990s and early 2000s, offering affordable hair accessories, jewelry, and cosmetics.
* Many former customers remember shopping at Claire's as a rite of passage, but say they "grew out" of it around the age of 13-15 as they started to see it as "kiddish".
* The rise of social media and fast-fashion retailers like Shein has made it harder for Claire's to compete on price and trendiness.
* Experts suggest that Claire's failure to adapt to changing consumer tastes and shopping habits, particularly among younger generations, is a major factor in its decline.
* Some former customers still have fond memories of shopping at Claire's and appreciate the brand's nostalgic value.
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