MajorsSep 24, 2021
Brilliant Earth Is Now a Public Company MajorsOct 04, 2021
Claire’s Plans to Go Public
After emerging from bankruptcy, the mall staple has filed for an IPO.
Jewelry and accessories chain Claire’s filed for an initial public offering Wednesday.
Hoffman Estates, Ill.—Claire’s Stores Inc may soon go public after filing for an initial public offering Wednesday, just three years after emerging from bankruptcy.
The kid-friendly chain, best known for its ear piercing services, sells costume and fashion jewelry, accessories, toys, and more.
The retailer recently launched a subscription service, introducing its quarterly “Cdrop” boxes as it looks to appeal to millennial, Gen Z, and even younger customers.
Claire’s operates its flagship brand as well as Icing, which caters more toward young women.
According to the company’s S-1 filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, there were 1,390 company-operated Claire’s stores in North America and 887 in Europe as of July 31, alongside 324 franchised stores, mainly in the Middle East and South Africa . Icing stores number 191.
Related stories will be right here …
The kid-friendly chain, best known for its ear piercing services, sells costume and fashion jewelry, accessories, toys, and more.
The retailer recently launched a subscription service, introducing its quarterly “Cdrop” boxes as it looks to appeal to millennial, Gen Z, and even younger customers.
Claire’s operates its flagship brand as well as Icing, which caters more toward young women.
According to the company’s S-1 filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, there were 1,390 company-operated Claire’s stores in North America and 887 in Europe as of July 31, alongside 324 franchised stores, mainly in the Middle East and South Africa . Icing stores number 191.
The mall staple filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March 2018, struggling under a mountain of debt following a private equity takeover.
Elliott Management and Monarch Alternative Capital took the reins after the company emerged from bankruptcy in October 2018 and will maintain control post-IPO, the filing states.
Post-bankruptcy, the company is still sitting on close to $1 billion in debt, including $496 million in long-term debt and more than $429 million in derivative liabilities.
However, during the first half of 2021, the company doubled its sales year-over-year to $629 million and swung to a profit on its operating costs after being in the red for the first half of 2020, as per its filing.
The retailer plans to invest more than $150 million in business improvements by the end of fiscal 2021, including expanding its store count, building a management team, bolstering its e-commerce capabilities, and improving its ear piercing services.
Claire’s may soon join a long list of retailers that have gone public in recent months, including Brilliant Earth and Warby Parker, as well as Mattress Firm and Guitar Center, which recently filed IPOs.
If the accessories chain succeeds, it will list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "CLRS. "
More on Majors
The Latest
ColumnistsSep 22, 2026
Peter Smith: Our Struggle With Emotional SellingPeople aren’t thinking rationally when they are buying luxury products, and we shouldn’t be selling them that way, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsSep 22, 2026
Constance Polamalu Named to '40 Under 40' ListThe Baltimore Business Journal recognized the entrepreneur for her leadership in business and the jewelry industry.
GradingSep 22, 2026
GCAL by Sarine Opens New Lab in MumbaiThe facility is located within SEEPZ and is GCAL by Sarine’s second location in India, joining its existing grading lab in Surat.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
Events & AwardsSep 22, 2026
NYCJAOS Returns for Autumn EditionThe four-day show is slated for Nov. 19-22 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
Weekly QuizSep 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsSep 21, 2026
Ultra-Rare Cartier Cheich Watch Sells for $3.4M Offered at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, the one-of-a-kind white gold watch now holds the title of most valuable Cartier wristwatch sold at auction.
IndependentsSep 21, 2026
Bhindi Jewelers Moves Into New, Larger California StoreThe relocated Glendale store, now at The Americana at Brand, was designed to be a contemporary “timepiece haven” inspired by luxury resorts.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
7.52-Carat Unheated Paraíba Tourmaline Sells for $1.3M at Sotheby’s The top lot of the auction house’s Hong Kong jewelry sale was an Art Deco Mauboussin necklace with ruby beads, which sold for $2 million.
Policies & IssuesSep 18, 2026
Tariffs, Retail Crime Top of Mind at JA’s Annual Fly-In Retailers and manufacturers headed to the Capitol this week to discuss tariff exemptions for diamonds and gemstones, among other issues.
CollectionsSep 18, 2026
Nanis Transforms Its ‘Boule’ Into a Mirror Our Piece of the Week is a pair of drop earrings from the “Sway” collection featuring Nanis’ first use of mirror-polished gold.
GradingSep 18, 2026
De Beers Introduces Faster Version of Diamond Screening Machine SynthDetect 2 can scan a full tray in less than five minutes, De Beers said, making it six times faster than its predecessors.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
Noonans To Auction Medieval Gold Seal Ring Recovered By 2 FriendsTwo metal detectorists discovered the ring, which may have belonged to English noblewoman Matilda of Lancaster, in Suffolk.
Policies & IssuesSep 17, 2026
Tariffs on India Could Increase as Russian Sanctions Bill Heads to Trump’s DeskThe bill has a provision that allows the president to raise tariffs on countries that import Russian oil and gas to as much as 100 percent.
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
This Is the Winner of the 2026 Robert M. Shipley AwardThe American Gem Society presented the annual award to a former president of its board.
CollectionsSep 17, 2026
Cynthia Erivo, Zoë Chicco’s Jewelry Collab Is an Ode to TransformationThe “Chrysalis” capsule centers butterfly motifs representing growth, transformation, and the unfolding of who you are.
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
Louisiana Retailer Kevin Patton Wins Lifetime Achievement AwardJewelers of Louisiana presented Patton, the third-generation president of Pattons Fine Jewelry, with the award at its annual convention.
PodcastsSep 16, 2026
Episode 9: Remembering Cindy EdelsteinTwo special guests join the podcast to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the designer advocate, mentor, and author’s untimely passing.
CollectionsSep 16, 2026
Jessica McCormack, L’Objet Collab on Homewares CollectionMcCormack brings sea-inspired motifs from her “Beaches” collection to L’Objet’s tableware, vanity pieces, and first-ever cutlery set.
CrimeSep 16, 2026
JSA Issues Warning to NJ Jewelers After Rash of Smash and GrabsNine New Jersey jewelers have been victims of smash-and-grab robberies this year, prompting JSA to circulate a list of recommendations.
IndependentsSep 16, 2026
Bromberg & Co. Names New PresidentMarlin “Brian” Hood, who has been with the store for 20 years, will succeed Ricky Bromberg, who died earlier this month.
MajorsSep 16, 2026
Midas Chain Releases ‘House of Midas’ Bridal CatalogThe new bridal catalog features the latest jewelry collections and designs from timeless classics to modern silhouettes.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
2026 Emmys Jewelry: An Either/Or Proposition Stars wore either a necklace or earrings at 78th Primetime Emmy Awards but rarely both, Natalie Francisco notes.
ColumnistsSep 15, 2026
The Levels Your Website Must Clear Before AI Recommends YouJennifer Shaheen compares this new era of AI-powered SEO to a video game: your website must clear one level before advancing to the next.
IndependentsSep 15, 2026
Armadani Launches Retail Support Program for Holiday SeasonThe program highlights “Made in Italy” fine jewelry with digital merchandising, sales education, and local marketing support.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
Q&A: Signet Jewelers’ Joan Hilson on Diamond Demand, the HolidaysHilson, Signet’s chief operating and financial officer, discussed Q2, resurgent natural diamond demand, and why Blue Nile is a standout.
ColumnistsSep 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: Stop Waiting for December to Save Your ChristmasThe stores that have a great December are the ones that made good decisions in August, September, and October, Sherry Smith writes.
