The Body Shop has announced the closure of 75 stores across the UK over the next six weeks, resulting in the loss of 489 jobs. The closures, which affect locations from Swansea to Glasgow, are part of a restructuring plan by administrators FRP to 'right-size' the company's store portfolio. Combined with 300 redundancies at the head office, nearly 800 people will lose their jobs.
Despite the closures, 116 Body Shop stores in the UK will remain open. The administration firm FRP confirmed that the changes affect only the company's UK operations. Internationally, Body Shop Denmark has declared bankruptcy, its Belgian division is also reportedly bankrupt, and the Irish business is expected to enter liquidation next week.
Administrators announced the additional closures on Thursday, following an initial seven store closures last week. The retailer, which employs over 2,200 people in the UK, entered administration in mid-February, months after being acquired by restructuring firm Aurelius in November.
Tony Wright, joint administrator, stated: 'In taking swift action to right-size the Body Shop UK store portfolio, we have stabilised the business and are providing the best opportunity for this iconic brand to have a long-term, sustainable future.' Aurelius, the main creditor, may take back the chain after closures, or administrators could begin a formal sale process for remaining stores.
The Body Shop, founded by Anita Roddick in 1976, has faced declining popularity due to increased competition from rivals like Lush and Rituals, as well as the rise of online retail. The brand has had three owners since Roddick sold it to L'Oréal in 2006, later passing to Natura and then Aurelius.
Affected stores include locations in Aylesbury, Banbury, Barnstaple, Basildon, Battersea, Bedford, Beverley, and Bexleyheath, among others. The closures are expected to be completed within the next four to six weeks.
