The Body Shop is closing a significant number of UK stores (over 100 in early 2024) and entering administration due to years of unprofitability, intense competition, and declining sales. After changing hands to new owners, Aurelius, in late 2023, the retailer struggled with cash flow issues and a high-cost physical store footprint that became unsustainable.
The Body Shop's popularity has waned in recent years as competition heated up from rivals in the natural beauty market, including Lush and Rituals, and the boom in internet sales has affected bricks and mortar retail.
In March 2024, the company announced that it would shutter its operations in the United States and reorganise in Canada under bankruptcy protection. The Body Shop was acquired by Auréa Group in September 2024.
All remaining Bodycare stores are to close with the loss of 444 jobs after the health and beauty chain's administrators failed to find a buyer for the shops.
The Body Shop goes into administration leaving thousands of jobs at risk | ITV News
Why are people boycotting The Body Shop?
So what was behind The Body Shop boycott and how ethical is the company now? Hundreds of consumers declared a boycott of The Body Shop in 2006, after its owner sold the cruelty-free brand to cosmetics giant L'Oreal – which was well-known for testing on animals.
The Body Shop is currently owned by Auréa Group, a specialist beauty and wellness investment firm led by Mike Jatania, which acquired the brand in a rescue deal in late 2024 after its previous owner, Aurelius, placed it into administration in early 2024. Auréa stepped in to save the business, gaining control of its assets in the UK, Australia, and North America, with the goal of revitalizing the ethical beauty retailer.
According to multiple reports, Victoria's Secret has closed around 30 stores in 2025, as part of an ongoing strategy to streamline operations and improve profitability.
Overreliance on collaborations and promotions “erodes brand equity.” The organization has become “slow and inefficient,” unsuccessful in attracting new and younger shoppers, and hasn't changed to meet modern consumers' needs—efficacy, emotive storytelling, and modern packaging among them—like its competitors have.
Since then, The Body Shop has changed hands twice, most recently to private equity firm Aurelius in late 2023. Within weeks, it decided to place the UK arm in administration following poor sales over Christmas and January.
The Body Shop is making its return to the United States in October 2025, after closing all doors in the market last year. The relaunch will see the British beauty business launch a dedicated online store and a digital storefront on Amazon. Full story via the link in bio 🔗
Lotion expires within two years unopened, but sooner once opened. Store lotion in a cool, dry location out of direct sunlight to prolong its self life. Expired lotion will lose efficacy and can grow bacteria and mold.
The Body Shop White Musk Perfume Oil is a sensual and soft signature scent, comprised with notes of velvety musk, floral lily, ylang ylang, and hints of fresh galbanum and basil.
Those customers who grew up with The Body Shop “no longer see its values as distinctive” and once innovative products “have now become commonplace,” he says. Successive ownership and leadership changes also played a role. The Body Shop has had three different owners since Roddick sold to L'Oréal.
Is The Body Shop on the boycott list for Palestine?
On the contrary, The Body Shop stands out as an ethical brand, recognised as a B-Corp, actively campaigning against animal testing, and leading an impressive Community Trade program. That said, while The Body Shop isn't a brand to boycott, some vegan and 'ethical' brands do have ties to Israel.
The company maintains that its pay and benefits are industry-leading, and that baristas continue to get more hours of work per week on average. Starbucks has in recent years faced consumer boycotts, a wave of new competitors and a customer backlash over high prices, as well as turmoil in its leadership ranks.
Nationwide, the Body Shop has almost 200 stores and whilst 116 are staying open, the rest are closing down. On February 20, 2024, seven stores were closed nationwide and more closed four to six weeks later. In total 82 stores have been closed.
Updated 7 months ago. Yes, our make-up range has been officially discontinued and is no longer available to purchase online. However, some of our stores may still have limited stock available.
