Claire's faces closure with 2,150 jobs at risk as market moves online

Claire's is on the brink of collapse after the fashion accessories retailer said it is to appoint administrators in the UK and Ireland, putting 2,150 jobs at risk.

- Mark Sweney

The jewellery and ear-piercing retailer, which has 278 stores in the UK and 28 in Ireland, has struggled to arrest falling sales and competition from online retailers such as Amazon.

Claire's has filed a notice of intention to appoint the administrators Interpath, which will assess "all options" for the company while it continues to trade.

Chris Cramer, the chief executive of Claire's, said: "This decision, while difficult, is part of our broader effort to protect the long-term value of Claire's across all markets.

"In the UK, taking this step will allow us to continue to trade the business while we explore the best possible path forward. We are deeply grateful to our employees, partners and our customers during this challenging period."

The decision follows Claire's in the US and Canada filing for bankruptcy last week.