Body Shop administration shows govt action needed to restore confidence – Bira

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has called the news that The Body Shop is about to appoint administrators in the UK as “sad” and said the government still needs to do more to protect the high street.

Bira, who work with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, said that the economy needs growth to restore consumer confidence and keep the high street alive.

It has been reported that The Body Shop’s UK businesses is set to appoint administrators this week in a move which is likely to see shop closures and job losses.

The Body Shop was bought from private equity firm Aurelius just a few weeks ago, and trading over the Christmas period had not been as strong as they had anticipated.

“It seems that we hear about the demise of a national retailer every few month – this time it is The Body Shop,” said Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre. “A stalwart of the high street, it is sad news and we hope that the employees and franchisees are looked after whilst the future of this chain is decided.

“There is no doubt that since the cost of living crisis started in 2022, life on the high street has been very difficult for retailers large and small. Shoppers have felt inclined to spend less on so-called non-essential items and official retail sales figures are showing decline in sales volumes. The loss of The Body Shop should serve as a reminder to the Chancellor that the economy needs growth and he should use his upcoming budget to restore consumer confidence by focusing on economic stability and growth. High streets and local shops are vital to communities everywhere and more needs to be done to help them through these very challenging times.”

Mr Goodacre stressed that the budget next month would be an ideal time for the government to help save the high street and had set out its five item wish list to help.

The Body Shop was set up in 1967 by the late Dame Anita Roddick and has changed hands three times since it was sold by the founder in 2006. It is believed to employ 10,000 people and operates in around 3,000 stores in more than 70 countries.