By
Bloomberg
Published
August 6, 2025
US retailer Claire’s has filed for its second Chapter 11 bankruptcy, months after President Donald Trump’s tariff plans created uncertainty for how the pre-teen-focused retailer’s global supply chain will be affected.
Claire’s, with headquarters in the Chicago suburbs, listed liabilities and assets of $1 billion to $10 billion each in its Chapter 11 petition.
The once beloved mall staple and iconic ear-piercing locale is now confronting higher import costs for its goods alongside a rocky outlook for consumer spending. Traditional brick-and-mortar stores have already been losing market share to e-commerce aggregators such as Amazon.com Inc.
The accessory and nail polish provider is owned by firms including Elliott Management Corp. and Monarch Alternative Capital, former creditors that took over the retailer through its first bankruptcy in 2018.
Claire’s had been working with advisers including Houlihan Lokey Inc. and Alvarez & Marsal to shore up its finances, Bloomberg previously reported.
Potential pressure from tariffs raised questions on whether Claire’s could address a nearly $500 million loan due in December 2026, given its heavy reliance on China for merchandise. In May, Claire’s chose to defer interest payments on its debt to conserve cash.
Claire’s currently has 2,750 stores across 17 countries as well as 190 Icing stores in North America, according to its website. It had over 4,500 stores at the time of its first bankruptcy filing.
