Claire's
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2009) |
 |
|
| Industry | Retail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1961 |
| Headquarters | Hoffman Estates, Illinois, U.S. |
| Number of locations | 3,469 stores |
| Area served | Worldwide |
| Key people | James D. Fielding (CEO)[1] |
| Products | Accessories, jewelry, and cosmetics |
| Revenue | US$ 1.41 Billion (2008)[2] |
| Operating income | -US$ 446 Million (2008)[2] |
| Net income | -US$ 644 Million (2008)[2] |
| Owner(s) | Apollo Management |
| Employees | 17,600 (January 2009) |
| Website | www.claires.com |
Claire's is a retailer of accessories and jewelry to girls and young women, created in 1961, with its headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
As of October 27, 2012, Claire's has 3,469 stores in 36 countries: 1,947 in North America (United States & Canada), 1,141 in Europe (United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Spain, Ireland, Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, Belgium, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary and Italy), and 381 franchised and licensed stores elsewhere in the world (Japan, Middle East, India, Mexico, Turkey, Ukraine, Greece, Malta, Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama, Venezuela, and Dominican Republic)[3]
Their stores are in 95% of all U.S. shopping malls, and Claire's has done more ear piercings than any other retailer, over 80 million in 25+ years.[4]
In 1996, Leslie Mann of the Chicago Tribune said that "Although the management of Claire's says the company doesn't advertise and is deliberately low-profile, the name "Claire" is as familiar to female Baby Boomers as "Ringo". To the Boomers' mall-cruising daughters—and, more and more, to their sons—it's right up there with singer Puff Daddy."[5]
Contents |
Corporate affairs[edit]
Claire's has its headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.[6] The building serves as Claire's distribution center and main facility, and all merchandise is routed through this facility. Its products, which as of 1996 are mainly imported, are distributed and marketed through the Hoffman Estates location.[5] The company's buying, distribution, and marketing divisions are in the Hoffman Estates facility.[7] As of 1996, 236 full time employees and several temporary employees work in the facility. Leslie Mann of the Chicago Tribune said that the facility "contrasts with Claire's glittery stores in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom and Japan."[5] Mann added that "Except for the prototype store in the lobby and the fashion accessories that line the walls of the buyers' offices, the center is unremarkable."[5] Previously a facility in Wood Dale, Illinois served the purposes now held by the Hoffman Estates office.[5]
As of 1996, Claire's also has offices in New York City and Hong Kong.[5]
In November 1999, Claire's acquired rival firm Afterthoughts.[8]
Store types[edit]
Claire's Stores operates under two brands:
The majority of stores are of the Claire's store concept, and it is the only concept that operates outside North America. These stores are aimed principally at teens and tweens, and have a kid's section. They average about 1,000 sq. feet, are typically located in malls, and carry the widest selection of merchandise among Claire's brands.[9] Claire's merchandise is targeted at different age groups ranging from babies to young adults. Customers can find earrings, necklaces, bracelets, purses, hair accessories, and fashion accessories. Claire's stores are merchandised to accommodate these different ages, and fashion trends are manipulated to appeal to all ages.
The second brand is Icing. These stores are targeted towards young women aged 19–28. The merchandise has a higher price point, and is more mature. Most items are accessories and jewelry, but merchandise also includes items like candles, mineral-based cosmetics, and others. Icing typically does not offer licensed merchandise, giving the stores considerably less inventory, creating a less "over-stuffed" feel to customers.[10]
Other variations of these stores exist, such as an Icing store on Halsted Street in Chicago with marble fixtures and a more "boutique" styling.
Merchandise[edit]
Claire's sells accessories such as costume jewelry, sterling silver and 14kt gold earrings, hypoallergenic earrings, hair accessories, purses, wallets, socks, tights, legwarmers, sunglasses, and hats. Claire's also sells notebooks, pens, and stuffed animals. The stores offer a wide variety of styles in their products, ranging from punk, gothic, emo, and rock chick to pink, glittery, and flowery items. Claire's merchandise is targeted at the fashion forward teen, tween, and young adult. Claire's merchandise directly mimics higher end style trends.
Claire's also carries an assortment of holiday items such as Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, 4th of July, Halloween, and Christmas items.
Nearly all Claire's locations also offer ear piercing as all the staff are full trained in using the Studex 'gun'. Claire's does not pierce the cartilage of people under 13.
The store carries its own perfumes. One of their most popular items right now are their laced bows. Comes in a variety of colors.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Effective June 18, 2012. Moin, David (June 6, 2012). "Claire's Names James D. Fielding". Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
- ^ a b c Claire's Stores, Inc. 10-K filing for fiscal year ending Jan 2009 (April 28, 2009)
- ^ http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/claires-stores-inc-announces-first-store-openings-in-venezuela--panama-expanding-its-global-reach-to-36-countries-176421261.html
- ^ "Get your ears pierced at Claire's". Claire's Stores, Inc. Retrieved 20 August 2009.[dead link]
- ^ a b c d e f Mann, Leslie. "Hot Stuff." Chicago Tribune. December 14, 1997. Retrieved on December 24, 2011.
- ^ "Northwest Briefs." Daily Herald. August 15, 1998. Business 1. Retrieved on December 24, 2011. "Pembroke Pines, Fla.-based Claire's owns several retail chains that sell accessories and clothes for teenagers. Claire's has Hoffman Estates operations."
- ^ "FAQ." Claire's. Retrieved on December 25, 2011.
- ^ "Claire's Stores Buys Rival Afterthoughts". Sun-Sentinel.
- ^ http://www.claires.com/
- ^ http://www.IcingByClaires.com/
External links[edit]
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Claire’s Stores, Inc |
- Claire's
- Icing
- Claire's Stores, Inc. corporate site
- Claire's Careers European Union
- Claire's Careers UK
- Claire's Polish Fansite
