Home » Business News • UK Business News • UK Employment news » The Body Shop to close 75 UK stores and cut up to 800 jobs
The Body Shop to close 75 UK stores and cut up to 800 jobs
https://www.whatjobs.com/news/united-kingdom/uk-employment-news/the-body-shop-to-close-75-uk-stores-and-cut-up-to-800-jobs
By Nithya Bose in Business News, posted March 1, 2024
The Body Shop will close 75 stores across the UK and terminate 489 employees as part of a restructuring plan managed by FRP Advisory.
This move and reductions at the company's headquarters will result in the loss of 750 to 800 jobs.
116 of The Body Shop’s UK stores will remain operational despite these closures.
This decision comes after the UK branch of the renowned global beauty chain entered administration earlier this month.
The closures are scheduled for four to six weeks, with FRP Advisory promising support for all affected staff through the Redundancy Payments Service.
FRP Advisory's Tony Wright said: "In taking swift action to right-size The Body Shop UK store portfolio, we have stabilised the business.
"We remain fully focused on exploring all options to take the business forward."
The announcement follows a recent statement that up to half of The Body Shop’s stores would be shut down as administrators work to recover as much of the business as possible.
Need Career Advice? Get employment skills advice at all levels of your career
Founded in Brighton in 1976 by Dame Anita Roddick, The Body Shop gained recognition for its natural beauty products and opposition to animal testing, experiencing rapid growth in its early years.
However, its sale to L'Oreal in 2006 and subsequent ownership changes, including its most recent acquisition by private equity firm Aurelius in late 2023, have led to shifts in the brand's market standing.
Following disappointing sales during Christmas and January, Aurelius placed The Body Shop's UK operations into administration.
Once a leading name in the 1980s and 1990s, The Body Shop has faced challenges maintaining its popularity amid increasing competition from brands like Lush and Rituals in the natural beauty sector.
Follow us on X, LinkedIn, and Facebook
