The Body Shop Slashes Seven UK Stores Amid Crisis
Shock for beauty fans as The Body Shop announces the immediate closure of seven UK stores today, February 20. The ethical beauty giant is slashing shop floors following last week’s administration blow, as rescuers rush to save the sinking brand.
Which Stores Are Shutting?
- Four London shops – Surrey Quays, Oxford Street, Canary Wharf, and Cheapside
- Nuneaton in Warwickshire
- Ashford town centre, Kent
- Queens Road, bristol/" title="Bristol" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Bristol
These stores won’t reopen their doors, marking a clear break as administrators from FRP Advisory trim down the troubled retailer’s UK footprint. The aim? To rebuild The Body Shop into a leaner, fitter competitor in the cutthroat beauty market.
Jobs Hit Hard as Restructuring Bites
The closures come with a heavy cost. Around 270 head office staff are set to lose their jobs, while hundreds more at the affected stores face redundancy. After the cuts, roughly 400 employees will remain at The Body Shop’s HQ.
The rest of the chain’s UK outlets will carry on — for now — as the restructuring saga unfolds under insolvency experts’ watchful eye.
From Ethical Pioneer to Private Equity Target
Founded in 1976 by Anita Roddick and husband Gordon, The Body Shop made its name on ethical sourcing and green policies. But financial struggles forced a takeover last November, when European private equity firm Aurelius swooped in with a £207 million deal to buy the company from Brazilian giant Natura & Co.
Aurelius specialises in turning failing firms around. These painful closures and shake-ups are their first steps to revive The Body Shop’s fortunes and restore its glow as a dynamic beauty heavyweight.
Despite the turmoil, insiders remain hopeful. The Body Shop aims to emerge stronger in the fast-evolving world of beauty retail, ready to fight another day.
