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    RCS Real Estate Advisors, a top national retail real‑estate consultancy focused on restructuring and portfolio optimization, announced its pivotal role in securing Ames Watson’s purchase of Claire’s Holdings LLC (“Claire’s”) operations in North America. With RCS’s expertise, Ames Watson will keep the beloved chain—known for ear piercings and affordable tween/teen accessories—operating in a leaner format.

    RCS was hired to confirm the deal’s feasibility, conduct rapid due diligence, and negotiate with landlords. Within days, the firm obtained preliminary agreements from hundreds of property owners across the U.S. and Canada, covering most of Claire’s regional portfolio and giving Ames Watson the green light. In the following weeks, RCS finalized leases for more than 800 stores, with the possibility of reaching 950, thereby safeguarding the brand’s future.

    “RCS made this acquisition possible,” said Ivan Friedman, President and CEO of RCS. “Claire’s is an iconic brand woven into millions of lives. By leveraging our landlord relationships and structuring win‑win deals, we preserved hundreds of stores, protected thousands of jobs, and ensured future generations can enjoy the Claire’s experience.”

    Claire’s will continue serving North American consumers under a more sustainable model. Up to 950 locations—including key stores in California, New York, Florida, Illinois and other major markets—will remain open.

    “Claire’s defines a life stage and has a loyal community,” said Lawrence Berger, Partner and Co‑Founder at Ames Watson. “Our goal is to protect what people love about the brand while modernizing it for the next generation, and RCS has laid the groundwork for that future.”

    RCS and Ames Watson have worked together for over eight years, navigating rising competition and changing consumer habits. Beyond Claire’s, RCS has acted as Ames Watson’s outsourced real‑estate arm for brands such as Lids and South Moon Under, supporting expansion and optimization across core U.S. markets.