Body Shop to shut almost half of its UK stores - as seven will close their doors for good today

The Body Shop has announced it is closing nearly half of its stores in the UK – including seven today – and cutting 40% of roles at its London headquarters.

Pic: Mike Egerton/PA Archive/PA Images

It comes after the embattled retailer entered administration last week, putting more than 2,000 jobs at risk.

The Body Shop has roughly 200 outlets across the UK.

But administrators said the brand’s current portfolio is “no longer viable” after “years of unprofitability”.

“More than half” of the 198 outlets will remain open, the administrators said, confirming Sky News reporting.

Around 270 head office jobs are being cut – about 40% of roles there – leaving around 400 full-time employees.

The seven stores closing today are:

• Surrey Quays (London)

• Oxford Street Bond Street (London)

• Canary Wharf (London)

• Cheapside (London)

• Nuneaton (Warwickshire)

• Ashford Town Centre (Kent)

• Bristol Queens Road (Bristol)

The closures follow the previous sale of The Body Shop businesses in mainland Europe and parts of Asia, and to support a smaller business.

According to the latest company accounts, The Body Shop had 927 administrative staff and 1,641 store workers in 2022.

No timeline for potential sackings and additional closures was given on Tuesday.

The Body Shop ambassador programme, where individuals sell products for a commission, is also being closed.

As part of the restructuring, there will be a “renewed focus” on products, online sales channels and wholesale.

The brand’s global franchise partners are not impacted with this portion of the business said to be “central” to The Body Shop’s long-term international strategy.