Information About

Claire's




  Company Type Subsidiary of Apollo Management , LLC
  Foundation 1961 (as Fashion Tress, Inc)
  Location Hoffman Estates, Illinois
  Industry Retail
  Products Accessories and cosmetics
  Company Slogan Where getting ready is half the fun!
  Homepage clairesstorescom


Claire's () is a Retail Store Chain that primarily targets female Teenager s and Preteen s. Claire's has over 3,000 locations worldwide in North America , Europe , Japan , the Middle East , and South Africa .

Claire's sells mostly accessory products such as Jewelry , Make-up , and Hair and Belt accessories. Claire's also sells Notebook s and Pen s, Stuffed Animal s, and some Clothing . The stores offer a wide variety of Style s in their products, ranging from Punk , Gothic , Emo , and rock chick to pink, glittery, girly and flowery items. Nearly all Claire's locations also offer free Ear Piercing with the purchase of piercing studs and ear care Antiseptic .

The store has many celebrity fashion lines such as Chick by Mariah Carey , Nicky Hilton , Shelbie Bruce and Ashlee Simpson . They carry their own Perfume line, in addition to fragrances from Britney Spears , Hilary Duff and Hello Kitty . Icing also has their own perfume line.

During certain holidays, Claire's sells products such as Costume Jewelry , Make-up , and pet clothing. These themed items are sold at holidays including Christmas , Halloween , Valentine's Day , Saint Patrick's Day , and Easter .


HISTORY

In 1961 , Fashion Tress, Inc., the predecessor of present-day Claire's, was established by Rowland Schaefer . Fashion Tress was a manufacturer of wigs and accessories, and went public in over-the-counter trading.

The name was changed to FT Industries, Inc. in 1973 , when Schaefer bought the company Claire's Boutiques, Inc., which had operated sixty stores in the Chicago area.

During the early 1980s , Schaefer took the company in a new direction by divesting the manufacturing businesses and focusing the company on specialty retailing of women's fashion accessories.

In 1983 , the company name was changed again to the current name, Claire's Stores, Inc. The company was later listed on the NYSE under the symbol CLE.

In 1999 , Claire's acquired the chain "Afterthoughts" and converted them into "Icing by Claire's." Icing caters more towards females aged 17-27.

On May 29 , 2007 , the company merged with Apollo Management, LLC. Eugene S. Kahn was appointed CEO.


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