The Body Shop to close almost half of stores with seven closing immediately

It comes after the British cosmetics, skincare and perfume retailer confirmed today that almost half of its 198 stores will close after it fell into administration.

The stores closing immediately include four in London, the Ashford store in Kent and the Bristol Queens Road.

More than half of the remaining 198 branches will remain open, according to administrators.

The Body Shop stated that fewer people visited its stores, which is why they had to close, and that it will now focus more on online sales.

Seven stores closing with immediate effect:

• Surrey Quays, London
• Oxford Street Bond Street, London
• Canary Wharf, London
• Cheapside, London
• Nuneaton, Warwickshire
• Ashford Town, Kent
• Bristol Queens Road

Around 40 percent of jobs at The Body Shop’s head office will go which will leave 400 full-time employees.

The Body Shop fell into administration earlier this month, putting 200 of its stores at risk of closure.

Private equity fund Aurelius purchased the company for £207million at the end of last year.

Administrators, FRP Advisory, were appointed to handle the insolvency process for its UK operation.

FRP said previously that the administrators will “consider all options to find a way forward for the business”.

They also said placing The Body Shop in administration “provides the stability, flexibility and security to find the best means of securing the future” of the chain.

They said: “The joint administrators will now consider all options to find a way forward for the business and will update creditors and employees in due course.”

The high street giant was founded in Brighton in 1976 by Anita Roddick and her husband Gordon.

The Body Shop was among the first to emphasise skincare and cosmetics made using ethical production practices and to advocate for ethical consumerism.

The latest spate of store closures has left British shoppers fuming with many taking to the social media platform X to share their thoughts.

@CamilleaCreates said: “The Body Shop… Sad times.”

@laurenjean23 posted: “Why can nothing survive anymore?! I’ve been a customer of The Body Shop for like 30 years, I still have the comb my best friend brought me for my 16th birthday in our one in town.”

Marie Crowley said: “This is such sad news.”

@naffraf posted: “After all these years we’ve now lost The Body Shop.”