Claire’s, the popular accessories chain known for its earrings, trendy jewelry, and tween-focused items, has once again filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The filing was made on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware. This marks the second time the company has filed for bankruptcy, the previous instance being in 2018. Despite this, the brand is attempting to continue operations for the majority of its stores while assessing various strategic options to stabilize its financial future.
As part of its court filing, Claire’s confirmed it would be closing 18 retail locations across the United States, including both its flagship Claire’s stores and the sister brand Icing. Specifically, five Icing locations and thirteen Claire’s stores are scheduled to shut their doors permanently. The company has clarified that these closures are not necessarily the end, and further shutdowns may follow depending on how the restructuring process unfolds. The targeted closure date for all listed stores is set for September 7, 2025, and liquidation sales have already begun or will soon begin at these locations.
Claire’s currently operates more than 2,750 stores globally across 17 countries in North America and Europe. Its subsidiary, Icing, maintains approximately 190 locations in North America. Both brands are staples in American malls and have been familiar names for generations of teenagers seeking accessories and inexpensive jewelry.
The decision to shutter select stores was likely driven by changing shopping patterns, increased competition from online retailers, and challenges in adapting to post-pandemic retail conditions. Mall traffic in particular has continued to decline in many regions, and retailers like Claire’s are facing the brunt of these shifts as they struggle to justify brick-and-mortar expenses.
The 13 Claire’s stores marked for closure are spread across various states, reflecting the company's nationwide footprint. The list includes Eastdale Mall in Montgomery, Alabama; Newpark Mall in Newark, California; Ford City Mall in Chicago, Illinois; Market Street at Lynnfield in Massachusetts; Bay City Town Center in Michigan; Northtown Mall in Blaine, Minnesota; Livingston Mall in New Jersey; Union Town Mall in Pennsylvania; Pinnacle at Turkey Creek in Knoxville, Tennessee; Junction Commons in Park City, Utah; Provo Town Center in Provo, Utah; Shops at Highland Village in Highland Village, Texas; and Woodinville Plaza in Woodinville, Washington.
Additionally, five Icing stores will also be shuttered. These include locations at the Galleria at Tyler in Riverside, California; Woodland Mall in Grand Rapids, Michigan; Greece Ridge in Rochester, New York; Mall of Abilene in Abilene, Texas; and University Orem in Orem, Utah.
Retail experts believe this second bankruptcy filing reflects broader difficulties in the teen accessory retail space, where trends shift quickly and margins are tight. While Claire’s has made efforts in recent years to rebrand and cater to both in-store and online shoppers, it appears that these efforts have not been enough to offset ongoing financial pressures.
Despite these challenges, the company insists that the majority of its remaining stores will continue to operate as normal, and it remains committed to serving customers throughout this transition. Claire’s has long been considered a go-to destination for ear piercings and last-minute gifts for young shoppers, and whether the brand can retain that loyal base while evolving its business model remains to be seen.
This round of closures is being closely watched by other retail chains, especially those that also operate heavily in mall environments. Claire’s experience may serve as a cautionary tale or a roadmap for others facing similar structural and consumer behavior changes in the retail industry. For now, affected employees and shoppers will need to prepare for the permanent shutdown of these selected stores and monitor further announcements that may impact other locations in the coming months.
