MajorsSep 22, 2025
Jewelry Manufacturer Vibhor Acquires AlorMajorsSep 23, 2025
Ames Watson Completes $140M Acquisition of Claire’s
The private equity firm has a plan to revive the mall staple.
Maryland-based private equity firm Ames Watson has finalized its purchase of Claire’s, the chain of mall-based accessories stores the caters to kids, tweens, and teens. Claire’s filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in August and initially warned it would have to close all of its stores in North America. The deal with Ames Watson will preserve hundreds of Claire’s stores, and thousands of jobs.
Columbia, Md.—Private equity firm Ames Watson has completed its acquisition of Claire’s.
The mall staple, which filed for bankruptcy in August, entered into an agreement with an affiliate of Ames Watson to sell its business operations and intellectual property in North America for $140 million.
The deal allowed Claire’s to preserve a significant portion of its network of 1,500 stores.
As per the agreement, Ames Watson will acquire at least 795 Claire’s/Icing stores and could keep as many as 950.
The remaining 550 North American stores will close.
In an Aug. 25 court filing, the retailer listed a total of 830 Claire’s/Icing stores that will remain open and 291 that are slated to close.
Related stories will be right here …
The mall staple, which filed for bankruptcy in August, entered into an agreement with an affiliate of Ames Watson to sell its business operations and intellectual property in North America for $140 million.
The deal allowed Claire’s to preserve a significant portion of its network of 1,500 stores.
As per the agreement, Ames Watson will acquire at least 795 Claire’s/Icing stores and could keep as many as 950.
The remaining 550 North American stores will close.
In an Aug. 25 court filing, the retailer listed a total of 830 Claire’s/Icing stores that will remain open and 291 that are slated to close.
“Claire’s is one of those rare brands that defines a stage of life—old enough to buy your first lip gloss, but still young enough to believe it could change your world,” said Lawrence Berger, partner and co-founder at Ames Watson.
“The passion for this brand has been overwhelming, and we’re eager to include the community as we move forward.”
The company said it will lead Claire’s with a “smaller but stronger” footprint and will apply its expertise in reviving struggling retailers.
Ames Watson acquired Lids, the hat store, in 2019 and said it helped grow the athletic headwear company into a billion-dollar business.
The company has also invested in WatchBox, Champion, and Fanatics.
To revive Claire’s, Ames Watson said it will focus on exclusivity, customization, and cultural relevance, referring to Claire’s as a “nostalgic rite of passage.”
Ames Watson wants to create an experience in Claire’s that can’t be replicated online.
The new Claire’s will feature “elevated” piercing offerings, new merchandise, new marketing, and new store concepts.
“Every turnaround we’ve done begins with people,” said Tom Ripley, partner and co-founder at Ames Watson.
“Claire’s has an incredibly passionate field team—many with 20 years or more in these stores—and their loyalty will be the foundation of this next chapter.”
Ames Watson said it is committed to preserving Claire’s heritage while positioning the brand for growth.
Claire’s has pierced many ears throughout its decades in business, including the ear of one of its lawyers, Joshua Sussberg of Kirkland and Ellis.
During a bankruptcy hearing in August, Sussberg promised that if he could find a buyer for Claire’s, he would get his ear pierced, according to a People report.
It would be his second piercing from Claire’s following the one he received in 1995 at the Claire’s store in the Town Center Mall in Boca Raton, Florida, when he was in high school.
On Sept. 9, when the agreement to sell Claire’s to Ames Watson was approved, the attorney made good on his promise.
Claire’s employee Tiffany Rivera, who has been with the chain for more than 10 years, pierced Sussberg’s ear right there in the courtroom.
More on Majors
The Latest
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
Weekly QuizMar 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Introduce New ScholarshipIt’s the third scholarship to be launched as part of the partnership to help appraisers advance their professional credentials.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
JA Still Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsThe deadline for entries in the jewelry design competition has been extended to April 3.
SourcingMar 25, 2026
Rob Bates Steps Down as JCK News Director After 28 years with JCK, the veteran industry journalist is launching his own publication on Substack called The Jewelry Wire.
GradingMar 25, 2026
New York’s Natural History Museum, Wiley To Build Minerals DatabaseWiley said the project will give scientists worldwide access to the American Museum of Natural’s History renowned mineral collection.
CollectionsMar 25, 2026
Boochier Turns Flower Friendship Bracelets Into Fine JewelryThe “Flower Puff” collection looks to beaded flower friendship bracelets from childhood, turning the silhouette into nostalgic fine jewelry.
Policies & IssuesMar 25, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry to Host Bench Jeweler Shortage WebinarSet for April 2, the webinar will discuss how the jewelry industry can address the workforce gap.
IndependentsMar 24, 2026
Lisa Bayer, Illustrator and Beloved Member of the Muse Family, Dies at 64Bayer, founder of Lisa Bayer Designs, is remembered as “a bright light in every room.”
AuctionsMar 24, 2026
White Diamonds Shine In Christie's Jewels Online SaleThe highest-grossing lot was a Tiffany & Co. ring set with a flawless, emerald-cut diamond of 10 carats.
SourcingMar 24, 2026
AGTA Solidifies Tucson Dates For 2027-2029The next three editions of AGTA GemFair Tucson will feature a five-day show that includes Sunday.
WatchesMar 24, 2026
Christie’s Names New Senior Specialist, WatchesFormer Sotheby’s executive Tom Heap has taken on the London-based role.
CrimeMar 23, 2026
NYPD Looking for 3 Jewelry Store Robbery SuspectsThe group of women allegedly robbed two Catbird stores and one Gorjana location on the afternoon of March 9.
FinancialsMar 23, 2026
Movado’s Q4 Sales Rise As Demand Grows From Younger Shoppers, WomenMovado CEO Efraim Grinberg noted continued strength in the fashion watch and accessible luxury segments in the U.S.
TrendsMar 23, 2026
Marco Bicego’s New Campaign Showcases ‘The Art of Craft’After celebrating 25 years in 2025, the campaign marks a new chapter for the jewelry brand with the message that “Identity Creates Value.”
Events & AwardsMar 23, 2026
These Watch Brands Are Heading to Couture This YearCouture and Time to Watches announced the watch brands, from big names to independents, attendees will see at the show.
FinancialsMar 20, 2026
Macy’s Turnaround Plans Shows Promise, Boosted by Bloomingdale’sPlus, why Saks Global’s bankruptcy may have given Bloomingdale’s an edge.
AuctionsMar 20, 2026
Sotheby's, De Beers Unveil ‘Jwaneng 28.88’ DiamondThe flawless, Type IIa stone is estimated to achieve up to $2.8 million at the auction house’s high jewelry sale in April.
TrendsMar 20, 2026
‘Frankenstein’ Costume Designer Is Bejeweled In Brooches for Oscars WinCostume designer Kate Hawley wore three archival Tiffany & Co. brooches, our Pieces of the Week, while accepting her first Oscar.
