Lockport Walmart Superstore Part Of Illinois Clare's Expansion Plans

LOCKPORT, IL — The Lockport Walmart Superstore is one of several Illinois locations where a popular youth-oriented jewelry and hair accessory products chain will be taking up space soon.

Claire’s announced this week that its partnership with Walmart that began four years ago will be rolling out its products to more than 2,500 Walmart stores nationally, along with 360 store-in-stores.

The Hoffman Estates-based chain, which features youth-oriented jewelry and hair accessories, along with ear piercing for kids, announced its expansion plans on Tuesday.

“Together with Walmart, we have created a memorable and exciting way to bring Claire’s to customers who love our brand and those with the potential to discover all we have to offer. With these new locations, we’re excited to build on the success we have seen with our partnership and our own expanding consumer products business to reach more customers where they live and shop,” Ryan Vero, chief Executive officer of Claire’s, said in a news release.

In addition to Lockport, the expansion includes eight Chicago-area Walmart stores in Huntley, Oswego, Aurora, Rolling Meadows, Montgomery, Country Club Hills, and Homewood.

The local Walmart store is located at 16241 Farrell Rd. in Lockport.

According to the news release, Claire's partnership with Walmart began in 2018 and has "enabled the company to extend its experience-driven shopping environment and industry-leading piercing services to new and existing Claire’s customers to foster deeper connections and inspire self-expression with fashion that fits every vibe, staying on top of the latest trends that appeal to every generation."

"Walmart is continuing to establish itself as a fashion destination with a focus on expanding our assortment of quality, on-trend, and accessible apparel and accessories," said Michelle Gill, Walmart's vice president of Jewelry and Accessories. “This includes creating innovative shopping experiences like the Claire’s stores within Walmart that enable customers to find more of their favorite brands and shop with confidence.”

Patch editor Eric DeGrechie contributed reporting to this story.