Marie Claire UK to close print magazine after 31 years of publication

'There is enormous potential for us to drive our ongoing transformation through growing our digital business'

Rita Ora on the cover for the October issue of Marie Claire UK (Marie Claire UK/Instagram)

Marie Claire UK is to close its magazine 31 years after the release of its first edition in 1988, the publication’s publisher has announced.

The magazine – which is produced by publisher TI Media – will continue to function as a digital publication.

Marcus Rich, the chief executive of TI Media, commented on the closure of the print magazine, praising the publication for raising awareness of important cultural issues.

“For more than three decades, Marie Claire UK has led the conversation on the issues that really matter to women, from campaigning for women’s empowerment to climate change, while providing a premium fashion and beauty positioning that reflects their everyday lives,” Rich said.

“With full focus on our digital platforms, we will be future-proofing our ability to report on these vital and engaging subjects, alongside our top ranking fashion and beauty offering and media-first brand extensions, The Edit and Fabled by Marie Claire.”

The Edit, Marie Claire UK‘s online shopping platform, was updated in August this year with a refurbished look, having first launched in November 2018.

Three years ago, Marie Claire UK launched a premium beauty brand called Fabled by Marie Claire, in partnership with Ocado.

The brand, which offers customers products from more than 250 brands, was acquired by fashion retailer Next in June this year.

“The success of Marie Claire Edit and Fabled by Marie Claire are good examples of how, at TI Media, we can extend our unrivalled content and expertise into the digital space,” Rich said.

The chief executive added that there is “enormous potential” for brand to drive its “ongoing transformation” by expanding its digital business, something which is a “key focus” for the company.

The new, solely digital Marie Claire UK publication will be published under a licence agreement with Groupe Marie Claire, the brand’s publisher in France.

Jean de Boisdeffre, executive director of Marie Claire International, said that he is “thrilled” to be working with TI Media “on this very important evolution of the Marie Claire brand”.

“After more than 30 years of achievement in the UK, this new digital-first approach provides the launch pad for even more success in the coming decades.”

In November, Shortlist Media announced the closure of ShortList, which was the biggest men’s magazine in the UK.

The publisher stated that the ShortList brand would continue as a men’s lifestyle title, but cease to exist as a print publication.