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

The fashion accessory and jewellery chain has filed for bankruptcy protection with a court in the state of Delaware - its second such filing since 2018.

Once ubiquitous for ear piercing at the mall, Claire’s faced financial volatility along with other bricks-and-mortar retailers. It last filed for bankruptcy in 2018.