The Body Shop has started to announce a number of store closures across the UK after going into administration last week.
The cosmetics and skincare brand is now restructuring its UK business operations to be more financially stable. As a result, seven Body Shop stores have shuttered so far and more are expected to follow suit. More than half of The Body Shop’s 200-strong cohort of stores are scheduled for closure.
Job cuts are expected at the Body Shop’s head offices, where staff numbers are reportedly going to be reduced by 40 per cent. It is unclear how many store-based jobs will be axed as a result of the restructuring.
The news comes just one week after the Body Shop collapsed into administration shortly after the business was bought by a private equity firm called Aurelius.
Administrators at the time said: “The Body Shop has faced an extended period of financial challenges under past owners, coinciding with a difficult trading environment for the wider retail sector.
“Having taken swift action in the last month, including closing down The Body Shop At Home and selling its business across most of Europe and in parts of Asia, focusing on the UK business is the next important step in The Body Shop’s restructuring.”
Before entering administration, The Body Shop had over 200 stores across the UK and employed over 2,500 people across the country.
Who owns the Body Shop?
Founded in 1976 by the late Anita Roddick and her husband, Gordon, the Brighton-based brand quickly grew in popularity thanks to its approach to ethical consumerism. It is known for its natural and ethical own-brand products, and was a major high-street beauty and cosmetic brand throughout the last few decades.
Roddick remained at the helm of The Body Shop for 30 years before it became part of the L’Oreal Group in 2006. In 2017, Natura & Co bought if from L’Oreal. Natura & Co then sold the brand in November 2023 for £207 million. Aurelis took ownership of The Body Shop last November.
Why is the Body Shop closing?
The Body Shop is closing most of its stores as a result of declining profitability in recent years.
Administrators said: “After years of unprofitability and following a full evaluation of The Body Shop’s UK business, the joint administrators have concluded that the current store portfolio mix is no longer viable.”
They added: “A reduced store footprint will coincide with a renewed focus on the brand’s products, online sales channels and wholesale strategies, bringing the brand in line with industry peers and supporting a return to financial stability.”
Full list of Body Shop stores closing
So far seven stores have closed, many of which are in London. These are:
- Surrey Quays (London)
- Oxford Street near Bond Street (London)
- Canary Wharf (London)
- Cheapside (London)
- Nuneaton (Warwickshire)
- Ashford Town Centre (Kent)
- Queens Road (Bristol)
Administrators have confirmed that “more than half of The Body Shop’s 198 UK stores will remain open”, meaning more store closures will follow.
