Body Shop fans convinced they know 'real reason' for collapse as they panic buy

14 February 2024 , 15:53

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Some think they know why The Body Shop may be closing (Stock Image) (Image: Amer Ghazzal/REX/Shutterstock)

The Body Shop was a staple store for Gen X, Millennials, and even Gen Z.

It was where so many bought their body butter, where many young people forayed into the world of lip balms, and where lots of pre-teens purchased their first fragrance. However, it's gutting news for lovers of the store, as they've gone into administration, and administrators have claimed they will "consider all options" to make The Body Shop a viable store in the future.

But this hasn't stopped skincare addicts from running to their local shop, trying to stock up on their favourites just in case. And some even have a theory as to why the chain may have collapsed.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, The Body Shop account wrote: "Hello, you may have heard in the news that The Body Shop in the UK is under administration. We wanted you to know we're open as usual and all our customers can continue to shop for their favourite products. And...thank you for the huge love we've been hearing, it means a lot."

Fans praised the store for its "lovely scents and products", and someone said: "Hoping you stay open. It was my favourite shop growing up and now it's my daughters. We've been into ours every day of half-term so far. So sad for all the employees who are always outstanding."

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Others penned: "We hope you stay open", with some social media users saying that their products are the only ones that they use. "Not expensive at all for the quality of products", someone praised.

Some shoppers theorised that the shop may have faced struggles due to the increasing prices, with some saying they used to shop there all the time when they were a "teenager in the 90s", but couldn't in recent years as it had become "way too expensive."

Speaking to The Sun, Dr Amna Khan, a senior lecturer in consumer behaviour and retailing at Manchester Metropolitan University explained that things may have gone downhill for the brand when they were sold to Loreal in 2017.

She said: "When Body Shop was sold to Loreal, a lot of consumers felt as though this did not align with the original values and ethical stance of the business, which made a lot of consumers lose the original emotional connection and association with the brand."

She also highlighted: "They haven't innovated with their products to align with consumers' sense of novelty, and the stores haven't innovated on the in-store consumer experience."

Danielle Kate Wroe