Administrators have been appointed to Claire’s, putting around 2,150 jobs in Ireland and the UK at risk.
The move was confirmed by the US owners of the fashion accessories retailer.
Claire’s has 306 stores in Ireland and the UK, 28 of them in Ireland.
The owners said they had filed a formal notice to administrators from advisory firm Interpath.
Interpath confirmed the appointment of Will Wright and Chris Pole as joint administrators.
They are to seek a potential rescue deal for the chain, which has seen sales tumble in the face of weak consumer demand.
Claire’s stores in Ireland and the UK will remain open, according to the US-based Claire’s group and the administrators.
However, the adminstrators said that customers will no longer be able to make orders online.
Online orders placed and dispatched prior to the administrators’ appointment will be delivered as usual,
Orders that have not yet been shipped will not be delivered and customers should not be charged for these, as payment is processed on dispatch.
All staff will remain in their positions, the company said.
Interpath said the administrators will be contacting all employees to “provide further information about what the administration means for them”.
Interpath Chief Cxecutive Will Wright said: “Over the coming weeks, we will endeavour to continue to operate all stores as a going concern for as long as we can, while we assess options for the company.
“This includes exploring the possibility of a sale which would secure a future for this well-loved brand.”
It comes after the Claire’s group filed for bankruptcy in a US court last week.
It is the second time the company has done so, after first filing for the process in 2018.
Claire’s Chief Executive Chris Cramer said: “This decision, while difficult, is part of our broader effort to protect the long-term value of Claire’s across all markets.
“Taking this step will allow us to continue to trade the business while we explore the best possible path forward.
“We are deeply grateful to our employees, partners and our customers during this challenging period.”
Information for customers
- All Claire’s stores across Ireland and the UK will remain operational. Customers can continue to shop in-store as usual.
- However, customers will no longer be able to place orders online via Claire’s Ireland and UK website.
- Online orders placed and dispatched prior to the joint administrators’ appointment will be delivered as usual.
- The joint administrators will be unable to deliver orders placed online which have not yet shipped. Customers should not be charged for these orders, as payment is processed on dispatch.
- The joint administrators are unable to offer refunds for any items bought prior to appointment. It is recommended that all customers check the purchase protection arrangements with their debit or credit card provider (or similar payment provider) to ascertain whether a refund is available via another source.
- If no refund is available, customers should contact clairescustomers@interpath.com to lodge an unsecured claim in the administration.
- Customers with goods purchased after 13 August 2025 which are of unsatisfactory quality or which are not fit for purpose in accordance with consumer rights legislation should send proof of purchase and specific details relevant to the issue to clairescustomers@interpath.com.
Additional reporting PA