The Body Shop is set to close 75 outlets in the UK in the coming weeks, resulting in the reduction of 489 jobs as part of the ongoing restructuring overseen by the firm. Alongside the cost-cutting measures at the company’s headquarters, this move will lead to the redundancy of approximately 750 to 800 employees. Despite the closures, The Body Shop plans to maintain operations at 116 stores in the UK.

The global beauty chain’s UK division entered administration earlier this month, prompting the closure of stores over the next four to six weeks. FRP Advisory, the entity managing the restructuring, has promised to “support all impacted staff with claims to the Redundancy Payments Service.”

“In taking swift action to right-size The Body Shop UK store portfolio, we have stabilized the business,” mentioned Tony Wright from FRP Advisory. He added, “We remain fully focused on exploring all options to take the business forward.”

Founded in 1976 in Brighton by the late Dame Anita Roddick, The Body Shop began with a single shop in the seaside town. Recognized for its natural beauty products and anti-animal testing stance, the brand experienced rapid expansion. However, in 2006, Dame Anita and her husband Gordon sold the business to French beauty giant L’Oréal, causing dismay among some loyal followers who saw a misalignment with The Body Shop’s values.

After changing hands twice, most recently to private equity firm Aurelius in late 2023, The Body Shop faced financial challenges and decided to place its UK division into administration following disappointing sales during the Christmas and January periods.

Once wildly popular in the 1980s and 1990s, The Body Shop appeared to lose favor as competitors such as Lush and Rituals entered the natural beauty market.