Claire's and The Original Factory Shop near collapse, putting 2,550 jobs at risk

The retailers Claire’s and The Original Factory Shop are on the brink of administration, putting 2,550 jobs at risk.

Both chains are owned by Modella Capital, a private equity firm, which recently bought the high street arm of WH Smith – renamed TG Jones. Modella said in a statement that the climate on UK high streets was “extremely challenging” and data suggested “an alarming drop-off in pre-Christmas footfall”.

It said administration was the “only option” for both Claire’s and The Original Factory Shop, and it had started insolvency proceedings for both chains

The investment group has 154 Claire’s stores after buying about half the UK chain from administrators in September last year. It is understood that the advisory firm Kroll is lined up to handle the proposed administration, which would affect about 1,350 jobs at the accessories and ear-piercing chain.

The 140-store cut-price homewares chain The Original Factory Shop, which was bought by Modella less than a year ago from the private equity group Duke Street Capital, has filed a notice with the high court to appoint administrators. About 1,200 jobs are at risk.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jan/05/claires-the-original-factory-shop-collapse-jobs-modella

I kind of hate this. I had the second piercing in my ears done at Claire's some 30 years ago. It was my reward for surviving my hysterectomy.