By securing critical lease agreements, trusted national retail advisor preserves 800-950 Claire’s locations across North America

RCS Real Estate Advisors, a leading national retail real estate advisory firm specializing in restructuring and portfolio optimization, today announced its pivotal role in enabling Ames Watson’s acquisition of Claire's Holdings LLC ("Claire's") business operations in North America. With RCS’s guidance, Ames Watson will continue the beloved retail chain – best known for ear piercings and attainably priced tween and teen fashion accessories – in a streamlined format.

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Ames Watson tapped RCS to validate the viability of the landmark deal, tasking the firm with rapid due diligence and immediate landlord negotiations. Within just a few days, RCS secured preliminary agreement from hundreds of property owners across the U.S. and Canada, covering the vast majority of Claire’s regional portfolio and giving Ames Watson the confidence to proceed. In the weeks that followed, RCS finalized agreements for more than 800 stores, with the potential to reach 950, preserving the future of the beloved retail brand.

“Quite simply, RCS helped make this acquisition possible,” said Ivan Friedman, President and CEO of RCS Real Estate Advisors. “Claire’s is more than just a retailer – it’s an iconic brand woven into the lives and memories of millions of shoppers. By drawing on our deep landlord relationships and expertise in structuring win-win agreements, we helped preserve hundreds of stores, protect thousands of jobs and ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy the Claire’s experience.”

Claire’s will continue to serve consumers across North America, reflecting a more sustainable model in today’s evolving retail environment. Up to 950 locations will remain open, including key stores in California, New York, Florida, Illinois and other major markets.

“Claire’s is one of those rare brands that defines a stage of life, with a loyal community and cultural resonance," said Lawrence Berger, Partner and Co-Founder at Ames Watson. "Our focus is on protecting what people love about the brand while modernizing it for the next generation, and RCS has helped lay the groundwork for that future.”

RCS Real Estate Advisors and Ames Watson have collaborated for more than eight years, navigating rising competition and evolving consumer habits in a dynamic retail landscape. In addition to Claire’s, RCS has served as Ames Watson’s outsourced real estate department for many of their brands, including Lids, South Moon Under and others, supporting expansion and optimization efforts in core markets across the U.S.

About RCS Real Estate Advisors

Founded in 1981, RCS Real Estate Advisors (RCS) is a leading national retail real estate advisory firm that provides innovative, tenant-centric solutions for complex real estate challenges. RCS’s team of industry veterans use their in-depth retail knowledge and experience to fight tenaciously for their clients’ long-term success. RCS maximizes returns and protects its clients from entering into bad agreements, with a deal-structure mindset rooted in a forward-looking, risk-averse approach. The firm specializes in reducing occupancy costs, restructuring leases and expanding physical footprints.

RCS excels at identifying and exploiting investment and expansion opportunities because it sees the world through retailers’ eyes. For more than four decades, retailers have trusted RCS to strike the best, most favorable lease terms, preserve profitable locations, select the best sites for expansion and growth, and monetize real estate. For more information, visit: https://www.rcsrealestate.com/about-us/.

About Ames Watson

Founded by Lawrence Berger and Tom Ripley in 2018, Ames Watson is a privately held holding company based in Columbia, Md., which purchases, transforms and partners with companies to create long-term value. Ames Watson has over $2 billion in annual revenue. Brands owned or invested in by Ames Watson include Lids, LidsU, Unrivaled Teamwear, South Moon Under, Mitchell & Ness, Ebbets Field Flannels, Zygo, Hungry and Margaux.

About Claire's Holdings LLC

Claire's Holdings LLC is a fully integrated, global fashion brand powerhouse committed to inspiring self-expression through the creation and delivery of exclusive, well-curated products and experiences. Through its global brands, Claire's® and Icing®, the company delivers an immersive, omnichannel shopping experience with owned and concession stores throughout North America and Europe as well as around the world. More information regarding Claire's is available at corporate.claires.com.

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