Claire’s Stores has retained Hanold Associates for their Director of Talent role. Claire’s Stores, backed by private equity firm Apollo Management, is one of the world’s leading specialty retailers of value-priced, fashionable jewelry and accessories for young women, teens, tweens and kids. Their vision is to inspire girls and women around the world to become their best selves by providing products and experiences that empower them to express their own unique individual styles. Their broad and dynamic selection of merchandise is unique, and over 90% of their products are proprietary. Claire’s ® is their primary global brand that they operate in 43 countries through company-owned or franchise stores.
In June 2012, Claire’s named Jim Fielding as Chief Executive Officer. Most recently, Mr. Fielding served as the President of Disney Stores Worldwide. In this capacity, Mr. Fielding was responsible for all global operations of the 360 Disney Stores in 12 countries, as well as the DisneyStore.com business in 5 countries. He served as the architect of the company’s brand and merchandising strategy, new store expansion including the successful launch of a new concept in June 2010, the acquisition and turnaround of the Disney Stores Japan business and the development and expansion of the company’s global e-commerce business.
Claire’s Stores Inc. has five overall operating entities: Corporate, North America, Europe, International (providing oversight of franchising operations), and RSI, the company’s buying and sourcing arm based in Hong Kong. Claire’s operates approximately 3,000 stores around the globe with nearly $1.5 billion in total sales. While the business is strong and stable, the company is poised to undergo a transformation to become a world-class global, multi-channel specialty retailer and employer of choice.
