SHOPPERS are racing to get their hands on a piece of their childhood, as a wave of bargain hunting takes over social media.
Following the news that Claire’s has collapsed into administration , a frenzy of viral videos shows customers swarming stores to grab heavily discounted items.
One such shopper, TikToker Shivani Khosla, who is known as ‘ khoslaa ‘, shared a video of her rushing over to the high-street store, which was a staple for many Brits growing up.
While explaining how she got her ears pierced at Claire’s when she was five-years-old she filmed the inside of her local Claire’s and challenged herself to see what she can get for £10.
Shivani discovered that “right now, there is a sale. If you buy three items, you get the fourth one completely free.”
Her video gained 597.1k views and 491 comments after just two days of being shared.
One person wrote: “Guys we need to save Claire’s.”
Another TikToker who is known as ‘ toosexc4diswrld ’ revealed that they even got a pair of earrings for a penny.
Her video gained 2.6 million views and 866 comments after three days of being shared.
One person wrote: “I’m going to miss this store.”
The beloved high-street brand officially collapsed into administration, but all 306 stores across the UK and Ireland are set to remain open, with no jobs lost under the current plans.
However, a number of changes will impact shoppers directly.
Online orders have been suspended, and any outstanding orders that have not yet been shipped will be cancelled.
Customers who placed these orders can expect to receive a refund.
Meanwhile, orders that have already been dispatched will arrive as usual.
In a further blow to customers, Claire’s is no longer processing refunds for returns.
Shoppers who have items to return may need to contact their credit or debit card provider to see if they can obtain a refund.
Consultancy firm Interpath has appointed Will Wright and Chris Pole as joint administrators to manage the struggling company.
Mr Wright said: “Claire’s has long been a popular brand across the UK, known not only for its trend-led accessories but also as the go-to destination for ear piercing.
“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.”
The current situation follows the Claire’s parent company’s second bankruptcy filing in the US this month , having previously declared itself bust over unpaid loans in 2018.
Global presence
Although Claire’s has a global presence with 2,750 stores across 17 countries, reports suggest that the UK branch is not expected to find a buyer.
A senior insolvency expert noted that potential buyers, such as Hilco Capital, have recently withdrawn their offers upon realising the severity of the chain’s financial issues.
Claire’s UK division has faced financial difficulties, incurring losses of £25 million over the last three years.
In the year ending March 2024, the company recorded a loss of £4.7 million, a slight improvement from the £5 million loss reported the year before.
During the same period, its turnover declined to £137 million.
How to look chic on a budget
Fashion stylist Gemma Rose Breger, and beauty journalist Samantha Silver revealed how you can make your outfits elevated without spending hundreds of pounds.
- Don’t ever spend on designer denim: River Island ”always has such a great selection of fashion-forward jeans that follow the current trends”. The high street retailer offers a great range of sizes to fit UK 6 – UK 18, and three leg lengths – and prices start from an affordable £25.
- There are no rules for jewels: ”Pick up something at a car boot sale, or charity shop , scroll on Vinted & eBay , snap up something from the clothing section in your local supermarket when doing the food shop or check out high street clothing stores.”
- Don’t forget the pre-loved sites: With a rising number of second-hand sites, such as Vinted and Depop , there’s no excuse for not buying – or selling – pre-loved garments. Gemma, for instance, has managed to get her hands on chic Chanel sunnies for a mere £17.
