International specialty retailer of jewellery and accessories, Claire’s Stores, has added the Philippines to its international footprint.

Claire’s’ local franchisee recently opened its first five stores in the Manila metropolitan area and plans to continue developing stores throughout the country.

The retailer has also entered new markets including Costa Rica and Colombia – as well as new license agreements for Brazil, Scandinavia and the Balkans.

CEO Jim Fielding says the company will continue to identify expansion opportunities worldwide.

“Our franchise partners have opened stores in three new countries in 2013 and we expect to enter an additional three countries during the rest of the year,” he said.

Claire’s Stores operates two store concepts Claire’s and Icing. It has 3094 company-operated stores in North America, Europe and China and 414 franchised stores in the Middle East, Central and Southeast Asia and Central and South America.