The Body Shop France is currently seeking a buyer amidst ongoing financial struggles. After being acquired by German investment fund Aurelius at the end of 2023, the company filed for suspension of payments in France on March 19. This development was announced by court-appointed receivers, who revealed that The Body Shop operates 51 stores in France, including 13 in the Paris region and 38 in other parts of the country, along with six franchised stores. Reports from industry magazine LSA suggest that the franchised stores have united and are considering legal action against the master franchisor for breach of contract.
In 2022, The Body Shop France generated a revenue of €27 million, and its projected revenue for 2023 was €24 million. The company currently employs 259 individuals. It is important to note that the court granted The Body Shop a six-month monitoring period to implement a turnaround plan. In late January, Aurelius announced its intention to stabilize the company by reducing its retail presence in certain markets and exiting others, particularly in Europe and Asia.
In the UK, where The Body Shop is undergoing administration, approximately 80 out of its 200 stores are being closed. A similar situation has unfolded in Canada, where store closures have occurred and the potential sale of the company is being considered. Meanwhile, The Body Shop has completely ceased operations in Belgium.
In December 2023, Brazilian cosmetics group Natura & Co. sold The Body Shop to Aurelius for GBP207 million (€237 million). This amount was significantly lower than the initial demand of GBP500 million made by the Brazilian group, as leaked information to the press had revealed.
