Officials for retailer Claire’s filed for bankruptcy protection on Wednesday as its operating costs rise while demand for its goods declines among its youthful customers.

A combination of tariffs on the mostly Chinese-produced goods sold by Claire’s and inflation has cooled demand among its mostly youthful customers, according to NPR .

So has its distribution system of brick-and-mortar storefronts inside malls at a time when its traditionally youthful shoppers prefer buying goods online.

Illinois-based Claire’s has a $500 million loan due for payment next year, but its declining revenues and profits endanger its stores in the United States and Canada.

“Increased competition, consumer spending trends and the ongoing shift away from brick-and-mortar retail, in combination with our curr

See Full Page