| Company Name: |
Claire's |
| Headquarters: |
Hoffman Estates IL |
| Industry: |
Retail (Apparel) |
| Sector: |
None |
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| Employees: |
100 - 499 |
| Revenues: |
Unknown |
| Website: |
View website |
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Claire's Stores, Inc. is a leading specialty retailer of value-priced jewelry and accessories for girls and young women through its two store concepts: Claire's (North America and Europe) and Icing.
History
In 1961 a predecessor to Claire's, Fashion Tress, Inc., went public in over the counter trading. In 1973 the name was changed to FT Industries, Inc. when the former Chairman Emeritus, Rowland Schaefer, bought Claire's Boutiques, Inc. which operated 60 stores in the Chicago area. In 1983, the Company's name changed again, this time to Claire's Stores, Inc. The Common Stock was listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1985 and began trading under the ticker symbol of CLE.
The Company traces its beginnings to Rowland Schaefer, who established Fashion Tress, Inc., a manufacturer of wigs and accessories distributed worldwide. In the early 1980's, Mr. Schaefer set new strategic directions by divesting the business of capital-intensive manufacturing businesses in favor of the specialty retailing of women's fashion accessories. In the 90's, the emphasis of Claire's Stores shifted to value-priced jewelry and accessories for girls and young women.
After decades of steady growth Claire's Stores undertook a review of strategic alternatives which ultimately led to the Company being sold to Apollo Management VI, L.P. and certain affiliated co-investment partnerships on May 29, 2007.
Constant Newness
Merchandising and marketing practices reinforce our position as the accessory headquarters for our customers. A steady flow of new merchandise into our stores is key to their freshness and appeal, since many of our customers shop frequently. This freshness is attained through constant product testing and fast placement of successful test items in all departments. Prime sourcing in the Far East and our efficient distribution systems worldwide make quick response to "what's new" in merchandise both possible and profitable. Our Hoffman Estates, Illinois distribution center efficiently ships merchandise to North American stores on a daily basis with merchandise being received into the distribution center and shipped out again that same day!
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International Expansion
Claire's Stores concept translates internationally: a store that targets girls and young women with the latest jewelry and accessory styles. Claire's first arrived in the United Kingdom and Ireland in 1996 and continued its early European expansion into Austria, France, Germany and Switzerland. Our original expansion approach for Europe was to purchase a retail chain with existing management infrastructure, local buying expertise and knowledge of local customs. The acquired stores were then converted to the Claire's concept and our best practices for rolling out and operating stores were introduced. In 2005, we began to open stores in European countries without first completing an acquisition, and have entered Spain, Portugal, Belgium and the Netherlands in this manner.
Claire's Stores has been pursuing a successful international expansion strategy. Our European stores typically measure 630 square feet (smaller than North American stores) and ring up more than twice the sales per square foot of their North American counterparts. As a result, our current plans for expansion in Europe are more aggressive than in North America. At the end of Fiscal 2007 (February 3, 2007), we operated 859 stores in Europe.
The 193 stores we operated in Japan at the end of Fiscal 2007 are owned by a joint venture in which Claire's Stores has a 50% interest. In addition, 124 Middle Eastern, Russian and South African stores operated under franchise agreements at the end of Fiscal 2007. Additional franchise arrangements may be employed to further our international expansion.
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Working With Us
At Claire's, our world has no boundaries, only opportunities! Claire's Stores, Inc. is proud of the 16,000+ associates currently working at Claire's and Icing by Claire's. We value each as a contributor and as an extended family member. Our success is in direct correlation to the level of trust we place in our associates. We continually find new ways to recognize individual contributions and we place a high value on the dignity and growth of our people.
In order to keep pace with our core customer, we create an environment that stretches the imagination of all our associates. A commitment to listen, to respond, to take risks and to have fun enables us to continually change to meet our customers' needs. Our commitment to teamwork and to individual excellence plus our faith in each other's skills and abilities produces an integrity that is the foundation of our company.
We believe that each of our associates is unique and special, strengthening our business with their diverse backgrounds. Because of this belief, we support diversity in our workforce through our recruiting efforts, our training programs, and our commitment to the professional growth and development of our associates.
One of the core values at Claire's is that all associates should work in an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. We encourage our associates to treat each other, as well as our customers, with dignity and respect.
Commitment to Our Future
We believe that our company's continued success depends on our ability to attract future leaders! To build the most committed and impassioned workforce we have chosen to participate in three programs we consider vital to the future of our business and to students interested in retailing careers. " DECA", college-level internship programs, and our "education to careers" programs.
Claire's Stores is a member of the DECA Association of Marketing Students National Advisory Board. DECA is a worldwide high school and college organization whose mission is to develop and enhance students' competencies in sales, customer service and marketing. By working in our stores, DECA students are provided with the ideal outlet to develop and sharpen their skills while gaining practical experience and earning money for further education.
By offering scholarships to DECA students who are employed in our stores, Claire's Stores positively influences the training of tomorrow's business leaders.
Our Hoffman Estates office has developed successful partnerships with a network of colleges that require internships in retail-related fields. Our interns can choose from various career tracks such as Fashion Merchandising, Product Development, and Marketing/Visual Presentation. These internships allow students to receive "real-life" training in their chosen careers. In fact, the majority of our interns accept full-time positions with us upon graduation!
Throughout the United States and Canada, there is an ongoing movement to further the relationship between businesses and schools through programs called, "education to careers". We provide "job shadowing" experiences to educators and students interested in learning more about retailing in any of our field or corporate locations.
We take every opportunity to extend ourselves to young people, not only because they are our customers, but more importantly because it empowers them to learn "first-hand" about future career choices.
Benefits
Claire's Stores recognizes the importance of benefits that provide a measure of security to our associates and their families. With that in mind, we offer a variety of benefit programs that are designed to meet the needs of our associates.
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We offer multiple Medical and Dental options, including a National HMO. Life Insurance, Supplemental Life Insurance, and Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage is also provided.
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As a part of our income protection programs, associates may be eligible for Sick Days, Short and Long Term Disability, and Salary Continuation based on their position.
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In addition to the income protection programs, Claire's Stores offers several other forms of paid time off including vacation, personal, and religious holidays.
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We encourage our associates to participate in the continued growth of our company by allowing them to purchase Claire's Stores stock on a payroll deduction basis, with no fees or commissions charged to them.
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We also offer a 401(K) plan, with matching company contributions, to help our eligible associates plan for their future financial needs. | | | |
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Claire's Jobs 11 total (View all Claire's Jobs) |
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