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
FinancialsSep 09, 2026
Signet Jewelers to ‘Double Down’ on Blue Nile Amid Strong SalesThe jewelry retailer said it sees opportunity at higher price points, particularly in natural diamonds for bridal and fashion.
IndependentsSep 09, 2026
Sarah Leonard Fine Jewelers Closes After Nearly 80 YearsThe Los Angeles-based, family-owned jeweler was founded by Lenny and Sunny Friedman in 1946.
SourcingSep 09, 2026
Fura Gems Notes ‘Remarkable’ Interest in Larger Rubies at Latest SaleThe auction, held in Bangkok, was 96 percent sold by lot, with nearly 411,000 carats of Mozambiquan rubies sold.
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.
Policies & IssuesSep 09, 2026
8 Key Changes the FTC Made to the Jewelry Guides: A Refresher Learn more about the new terms for lab-grown diamonds and composite gemstones, and the major changes in store for precious metals jewelry.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
