Jewelry Stores NAICS 458310

Sep 3, 2025 - Fashion Jeweler Claire’s to be Sold to Private Equity Firm

• Claire’s announced it has agreed for most of its North American business to be acquired by an affiliate of private equity firm Ames Watson, according to CNBC. The deal must be approved by bankruptcy courts in the US and Canada. Claire’s filed for bankruptcy protection in early August 2025, for the second time since 2018, citing a challenging commercial environment. Tariffs have also weighed on the company, which has relied on China for low-cost sourcing. Known for its young customer base, Claire’s operated nearly 2,000 stores worldwide prior to the bankruptcy announcement. The company has scaled back its store closure plans to nearly 300 from close to 700 announced in August, per Retail Dive. Ames Watson is a private holding company, worth more than $2 billion in revenue, with holdings including Lids and Champion teamwear.
• Indicators measuring the collective mood of US consumers showed a downward turn, with consumer confidence and consumer sentiment levels falling. Consumer confidence levels, an indicator of discretionary expenditures, declined in August 2025, month over month, falling by 1.3 points, according to the Consumer Confidence Index. Consumer confidence levels were lower in August, but remained similar to levels in the past three months, according to The Conference Board, which publishes the monthly index. August’s loss can be attributed to consumers under 35 years old while confidence levels rose for consumers over 55. In addition, the consumer sentiment index from the University of Michigan dropped in August 2025 for the first time in four months. The index fell to 58.2 in August data from 61.7 in July. Year-ahead inflation expectation results were higher monthly, as consumers convey lingering anxiety about prices amid tariff impacts. The index serves as a predictor of consumer spending as it indicates consumers’ perception of their financial prospects and the broader economy.

• The Retail Trade Industry is one of 11 industries reporting growth in July’s Services ISM Report on Business. Executives in the Retail Trade industry reported an increase in business activity, prices paid for materials and services, employment, and inventories, along with faster supply deliveries and a decrease in order backlogs in July. Additional industries reporting growth during the period were Transportation & Warehousing; Wholesale Trade; Finance & Insurance; Other Services; Management of Companies & Support Services; Public Administration; Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Information; Utilities; and Health Care & Social Assistance. Seven industries reporting contraction during the period were Accommodation & Food Services; Construction; Mining; Educational Services; Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; and Professional, Scientific & Technical Services. Overall, economic activity in the services sector grew in July for the second consecutive month, with the Services PMI registering 50.1%.
• Jewelry has been serving as a bright spot in the overall lagging luxury goods market, according to a recent report by consultant Bain & Company released with Italian luxury goods group Altagamma in Rapaport. The jewelry segment has shown strong results, with the report noting “a robust appetite for both ultra-luxury items and more accessible aspirational products.” Bain commented that the global luxury market has been under strain, with younger buyers questioning the relevance and worth of luxury product purchases. The most likely scenario for the next 12 months is a moderate decline of between 2% and 5%, following a strong post-pandemic recovery. Sluggish tourism has dampened the European market, but strong local demand, including an interest in jewelry, has offset the decline.