EX-10.16





 Exhibit 10.16 

CLAIRE’S INC. 

PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT 

(For Employees) 
 This Performance-Based
Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (including Exhibit A hereto, this “Agreement”) is entered into by and between Claire’s Inc. (the “Company”) and the participant whose name appears below (the
“Participant”) in order to set forth the terms and conditions of the target award of performance-based Restricted Stock Units (the “PRSUs”) established for the Participant under the Claire’s Inc. 2021 Long-Term
Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), with the actual number of PRSUs to be determined based on the satisfaction of the vesting conditions set forth in this Agreement. 

Participant’s Name: 
  

							
	 Award Type
	  	 Date of Grant
	  	 Number of Target
PRSUs
	  	 Vesting Conditions

	PRSUs	  	[•]	  	[•]	  	 The Participant will be eligible to receive a number of PRSUs upon satisfaction of the following performance conditions and,
to the extent such performance conditions are satisfied, such PRSUs will vest on the date set forth below (the “Vesting Date):
  

Threshold: [•]% of Target Award
  

Target: 100% of Target Award
  

Maximum: [•]% of Target Award 

 
 Vesting Date: [•]


 Subject to the attached Terms and Conditions and the terms of the Plan, which are incorporated herein by reference, the
Company hereby grants to the Participant, effective as of the Date of Grant, a target award of a number of PRSUs, with the Vesting Conditions for earning such PRSUs as set forth above. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein or in
the attached Terms and Conditions shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Plan. 
 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has duly executed and
delivered this Agreement as of the Date of Grant. 
  

									
	CLAIRE’S INC.	 		 		 	PARTICIPANT
					
	By:	 	 	 		 		 	 
		 	 Name: [•]
	 		 		 	 Name: [•]

		 	 Title: [•]
	 		 		 	













 PLEASE RETURN ONE SIGNED COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT TO: 

Claire’s Inc. 
 2400 West
Central Road 
 Hoffman Estates, IL 60192 

Attn: [•] 

  
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 CLAIRE’S INC. 

CLAIRE’S INC. 2021 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN 

Terms and Conditions of PRSU Grant 
  

	1.	 GRANT OF PRSUs. The PRSUs have been granted to the Participant as an incentive for the Participant to
continue to provide services to the Company and its Subsidiaries, including any Subsidiary employing the Participant (the “Employer”), and to align the Participant’s interests with those of the Company. Each PRSU corresponds to
one Common Share. Each PRSU constitutes a contingent and unsecured promise by the Company to deliver one Common Share on the settlement date, as set forth in Section 3. 



 

	2.	 VESTING; PERFORMANCE PERIOD; FORFEITURE. The PRSUs shall vest as of the Vesting Date as set forth in
this Agreement upon satisfaction of the Vesting Conditions, with such satisfaction based on the achievement of the applicable performance metrics set forth on Exhibit A, subject to the Participant not having a Separation from Service prior to
the Vesting Date. The performance period for the PRSUs shall be [•] through [•] (the “Performance Period”). For the avoidance of doubt, if the threshold level of performance is not achieved, the Participant will not be
entitled to receive any Common Shares under this Agreement on the Vesting Date and any unearned PRSUs shall be forfeited for no consideration. All unvested PRSUs that have not settled shall be immediately forfeited upon the Participant’s
Separation from Service for any reason. All PRSUs, whether vested or unvested, shall be immediately forfeited upon the Participant’s (i) Separation from Service due to the Participant’s termination by the Company or its Subsidiaries
for Cause (as defined below) or (ii) breach of any restrictive covenants to which the Participant is subject with respect to the Company or its Affiliates [(including, without limitation, those set forth in the Restrictive Covenant Agreement
(as defined below))]1. 


 As used herein, “Cause” has
the meaning set forth in the Participant’s service agreement, if any, and, if not so defined, means (1) the Participant’s conviction of or indictment for any crime (whether or not involving the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries) (A) constituting a felony or (B) that has, or could reasonably be expected to result in, an adverse impact on the performance of the Participant’s duties to the Company, or otherwise has, or could reasonably be expected
to result in, an adverse impact on the business or reputation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (2) conduct of the Participant, in connection with his or her employment or service, that has resulted, or could reasonably be expected to
result, in material injury to the business or reputation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (3) any material violation of the policies of the Company, including, but not limited to, those relating to sexual harassment or the disclosure
or misuse of confidential information, or those set forth in the manuals or statements of policy of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (4) the Participant’s act(s) of gross negligence or willful misconduct in the course of his or her
employment or service with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (5) misappropriation by the Participant of any assets or business opportunities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (6) embezzlement or fraud committed by the
Participant, at the Participant’s direction, or with the Participant’s prior actual knowledge; 
  

	1 	 Note to Draft: Add if applicable. 



  
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or (7) willful neglect in the performance of the Participant’s duties for the Company or willful or repeated failure or refusal to perform such duties. If, subsequent to the termination
of a Participant for any reason other than by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for Cause, it is discovered that the Participant’s employment or service could have been terminated for Cause, such Participant’s employment or service
shall, at the discretion of the Board, be deemed to have been terminated by the Company for Cause for all purposes under the Plan, and the Participant shall be required to repay to the Company all amounts received by him or her in connection with
PRSUs following such termination that would have been forfeited under this Agreement had such termination been by the Company for Cause. In the event that there is a service agreement otherwise defining Cause, “Cause” shall have the
meaning provided in such agreement, and a termination by the Company for Cause hereunder shall not be deemed to have occurred unless all applicable notice and cure periods in such Award Agreement or service agreement are complied with.


  

	3.	 SETTLEMENT. Except as otherwise set forth in the Plan, the PRSUs will be settled in Common Shares, and
the Participant shall receive the number of Common Shares that corresponds to the number of PRSUs that have been earned and become vested as of the Vesting Date, which Common Shares shall be delivered on the date that is no later than forty-five
(45) days following the Vesting Date, as determined in the Committee’s sole discretion. 


  

	4.	 DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT PAYMENTS. Until the PRSUs settle in Common Shares, if the Company pays a dividend on
Common Shares, the Participant will be entitled to a payment in the same amount as the dividend the Participant would have received if he or she held Common Shares in respect of his or her vested and unvested PRSUs held but not previously forfeited
immediately prior to the record date of the dividend (a “Dividend Equivalent”). No such Dividend Equivalents will be paid to the Participant with respect to any PRSU that is thereafter cancelled or forfeited prior to the applicable
Vesting Date. The Committee will determine the form of payment in its sole discretion and may pay Dividend Equivalents in Common Shares, cash or a combination thereof. The Company will pay the Dividend Equivalents within forty-five (45) days of
the Vesting Date of the PRSUs to which such Dividend Equivalents relate. 


  

	5.	 CHANGE IN CONTROL. In the event of a Change in Control, (i) if the Award is not continued or
assumed by the successor or surviving entity or its parent in such Change in Control pursuant to Section 12(c)(i) of the Plan, or substituted for or replaced with an award with substantially similar terms and value of the successor or surviving
entity or its parent pursuant to Section 12(c)(ii) of the Plan, then any portion of the PRSUs that was not earned or vested prior to such Change in Control will become vested in connection with the Change in Control in an amount equal to the
performance level achieved under this Agreement based on actual performance through the consummation of the Change in Control, with actual performance based on the Company’s reasonable determination of the achievement of the applicable
performance metrics as of immediately prior to the consummation of the Change in Control, or if such performance is not determinable (as reasonably determined by the Company), based on achievement at target performance on the date of the Change in
Control, or (ii)(x) if in connection with such Change in Control, 



  
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the Award is continued or assumed by the successor or surviving entity or its parent in such Change in Control pursuant to Section 12(c)(i) of the Plan, or substituted for or replaced with
an award with substantially similar terms and value of the successor or surviving entity or its parent pursuant to Section 12(c)(ii) of the Plan and (y) on or within twelve (12) months following the effective date of such Change in
Control, the Participant has a Separation from Service due to a termination by the Company (or its successor or surviving entity or its parent in such Change in Control) without Cause, then any portion of the PRSUs that was not vested or earned
prior to such Separation from Service will become vested in connection with the Change in Control in an amount equal to the performance level achieved under this Agreement based on actual performance through the consummation of the Change in
Control, with actual performance based on the Company’s reasonable determination of the achievement of the applicable performance metrics as of immediately prior to the consummation of the Change in Control, or if such performance is not
determinable (as reasonably determined by the Company), based on achievement at target performance as of the date of such Separation from Service. 

  

	6.	 NONTRANSFERABILITY. No portion of the PRSUs may be sold, assigned, transferred, encumbered,
hypothecated, or pledged by the Participant, other than to the Company as a result of forfeiture of the PRSUs as provided herein, unless and until payment is made in respect of vested PRSUs in accordance with the provisions hereof and the
Participant has become the holder of record of the vested Common Shares issuable hereunder, unless otherwise provided by the Committee. 


  

	7.	 TAX AND WITHHOLDING. Pursuant to rules and procedures that the Company or the Employer establishes,
federal, state, local or foreign income or other tax or other withholding obligations arising upon settlement of the PRSUs may be satisfied, in the Committee’s sole discretion, by having the Company or the Employer withhold Common Shares, by
having the Participant tender Common Shares or by having the Company or the Employer withhold cash if the Committee provides for a cash withholding option, in each case in an amount sufficient to satisfy the tax or other withholding obligations.
Common Shares withheld or tendered will be valued using the Fair Market Value of the Common Shares on the date the PRSUs are settled. Any withholding or tendering of Common Shares shall comply with the requirements of Financial Accounting Standards
Board, Accounting Standards Codification, Topic 718, and any withholding satisfied through a net-settlement of the PRSUs shall be limited to the maximum statutory withholding requirements. The Participant
acknowledges that, if he or she is subject to taxes in more than one jurisdiction, the Company or the Employer may be required to withhold or account for taxes in more than one jurisdiction. 



 

	8.	 RIGHTS AS STOCKHOLDER. The Participant will not have any rights, including voting rights, as a
stockholder in the Common Shares corresponding to the PRSUs prior to settlement of the PRSUs. 


  

	9.	 SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE. The Company may, if it determines it is appropriate, affix any legend to the
stock certificates representing Common Shares issued upon settlement of the PRSUs and any stock certificates that may subsequently be issued in substitution for the original certificates. The Company may advise the transfer agent to place a stop
order against such Common Shares if it determines that such an order is necessary or advisable. 



  
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	10.	 COMPLIANCE WITH LAW. Any sale, assignment, transfer, pledge, mortgage, encumbrance or other disposition
of Common Shares issued upon settlement of the PRSUs (whether directly or indirectly, whether or not for value and whether or not voluntary) must be made in compliance with any applicable constitution, rule, regulation or policy of any of the
exchanges, associations or other institutions with which the Company has membership or other privileges, and any applicable law, or applicable rule or regulation of any governmental agency, self-regulatory organization or state or federal regulatory
body. 


  

	11.	 [RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS. As a condition precedent to the grant of the PRSUs, the Participant hereby
agrees to be subject to the restrictive covenants set forth in Exhibit B hereto (the “Restrictive Covenant Agreement”).]2 



 

	12.	 MISCELLANEOUS. 



 

	 	(a)	 No Right To Continued Employment or Service. This Agreement shall not confer upon the Participant any
right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or a Subsidiary, including the Employer, or to be entitled to any remuneration or benefits not set forth in this Agreement or the Plan nor interfere with or limit the right of the Company or
a Subsidiary, including the Employer, to modify the terms of or terminate the Participant’s employment or service at any time to the extent permitted under applicable law and subject to the Participant’s service agreement, if any.



  

	 	(b)	 No Advice Regarding Grant. The Company is not providing any tax, legal or financial advice, nor is the
Company making any recommendations regarding the Participant’s participation in the Plan or acquisition or sale of the underlying Common Shares. The Participant is hereby advised to consult with his or her own personal tax, legal and financial
advisors regarding his or her participation in the Plan before taking any action related to the Plan or the PRSUs. 


  

	 	(c)	 Cancellation/Clawback. The Participant hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Participant and the PRSUs
are subject to the terms and conditions of Section 19(o) of the Plan (regarding reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment of Awards upon the occurrence of certain specified events). 



 

	 	(d)	 Plan to Govern. This Agreement and the rights of the Participant hereunder are subject to all of the
terms and conditions of the Plan as the same may be amended from time to time, as well as to such rules and regulations as the Committee may adopt for the administration of the Plan. 



 

	2 	 Note to Draft: Add if applicable. 



  
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	 	(e)	 Amendment. Subject to the restrictions set forth in the Plan, the Company may from time to time suspend,
modify or amend this Agreement or the Plan. Subject to the Company’s rights pursuant to Sections 5(b), 16 and 21 of the Plan, no amendment of the Plan or this Agreement may, without the consent of the Participant, adversely affect the rights of
the Participant in a material manner with respect to the PRSUs granted pursuant to this Agreement. 


  

	 	(f)	 Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall he held illegal or invalid for any
reason, such illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included. 



 

	 	(g)	 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Plan [and the Restrictive Covenant Agreement] contain all of the
understandings between the Company and the Participant concerning the PRSUs granted hereunder and supersede all prior agreements and understandings. 


  

	 	(h)	 Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successor or successors
of the Company and any person or persons who shall, upon the Participant’s death, acquire any rights hereunder in accordance with this Agreement or the Plan. 



 

	 	(i)	 Governing Law. To the extent not preempted by federal law, this Agreement shall be construed in
accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to any conflicts or choice of law, rule or principle that might otherwise refer the interpretation of the award to the substantive law of another jurisdiction.



  

	 	(j)	 [Compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. The PRSUs are
intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”) to the extent subject thereto, and shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A and treasury regulations and other interpretive
guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the Date of Grant. The Company reserves the right to modify the terms of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the
payment provisions applicable to the PRSUs, to the extent necessary or advisable to comply with Section 409A and reserves the right to make any changes to the PRSUs so that the PRSUs do not become deferred compensation under Section 409A.



 For purposes of this Agreement, each amount to be paid or benefit to be provided shall be construed as a separate
identified payment for purposes of Section 409A. 
 Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan or this Agreement to the contrary, if the
Participant is a “specified employee” and a payment subject to Section 409A (and not excepted therefrom) to the Participant is due upon Separation from Service, such payment shall be delayed for a period of six (6) months after
the date the Participant Separates from Service (or, if earlier, the death of the Participant). Any payment that would otherwise have been due or owing during such six-month period will be paid immediately
following the end of the six-month period unless another compliant date is specified in the applicable agreement. If the PRSUs 

  
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include a “series of installment payments” (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)), the Participant’s right to such
series of installment payments shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments and not as a right to a single payment, and if the PRSUs include “dividend equivalents” (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-3(e)), the Participant’s right to such dividend equivalents shall be treated separately from the right to other amounts under the PRSUs. 

Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall the Company or an Affiliate, including the
Employer, be liable to the Participant on account of failure of the PRSUs to (i) qualify for favorable U.S. or foreign tax treatment or (ii) avoid adverse tax treatment under U.S. or foreign law, including, without limitation, under
Section 409A.]3 
  

 

	3 	 Note to Draft: For non-US awardees, replace with applicable local law
provisions. 



  
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 EXHIBIT A 

Performance Metrics 












 [EXHIBIT B]4 

Restrictive Covenant Agreement 
  

 

	4 	 Note to Draft: Add if applicable.