New Body Shop owner to call in administrators for UK chain

Potential administration of its UK operations, extensive store closures could hit staff and customers

In light of the above, the brand does seem to be performing some serious restructuring to survive changing times and stay competitive.

The Body Shop has a long history, founded by Anita Roddick and her husband Gordon Roddick; it is a company with a heritage of active stances on the environment and against animal testing.

All this makes it rather quite clear that in recent years, differentiating itself within a market in which sustainability has become more focused on by competitors has been a tough task.

The decision by the company to offload its international businesses to a mysterious family office is a sure indication that the company is turning towards some key markets where it can forge franchise partnerships, investing in digital platforms and new sales channels.

How all these strategic initiatives are going to be played out in the next few months, therefore, needs to be given serious attention as it may bring about revamping of the brand.

It is equally important to address the heritage of The Body Shop, particularly what Anita Roddick had in mind and fought for. She may have died in 2007, but her spirit lives on highly in the brand and its values.

Hopefully, The Body Shop will come out from this trying period a more resilient and more sustainable business while being true to its principles, doing something positive for the environment, and being socially responsible.