I remember the first time I stepped into one of the iconic Body Shop stores at Ambience Mall in Vasant Kunj. My girlfriends and I used to spend hours there, spraying different scents on those little slips of paper. Those stores used to be a pit stop on every mall trip, so it’s a bittersweet moment as we say goodbye to an old friend.
The End of an Era: What’s Happening?
Turns out, the Body Shop has filed for bankruptcy and is closing down all of its operations in the US. It will soon shut dozens of stores in Canada where, 33 out of 105 stores are holding liquidation sales, signalling an end to an era of ethical beauty shopping. The online store in Canada will also discontinue sales, though the physical locations remain open for now.
Why this drastic step? It appears that the economic pressures of recent years, including rising inflation, have taken their toll. Retailers, especially those like The Body Shop that have traditionally relied on mall traffic, are finding it increasingly difficult to thrive.
But there’s a silver lining. According to The Economic Times, “The Indian operations of cosmetics firm The Body Shop will not be impacted by the restructuring in the UK. All the stores in India are open as usual, customers can shop at stores and online.” Phew!
Products to Love (and Grab Before They’re Gone)
Even though The Body Shop is not about to shut down here, I always believe that you’re better safe than sorry; especially if you have a few staples that you can’t live without. So, as the stores in the US prepare to close their doors, it might be a good time to revisit a few classics.
The White Musk® Fragrance Mist is an absolute classic. This floral and earthy scent combines jasmine, aldehydes, and cruelty-free musk for a lighter, everyday fragrance. Plus, the recyclable glass bottle makes it environmentally friendly and perfect for gifts!
The Body Shop’s Avocado Body Butter is packed with 96% natural ingredients including sustainably sourced avocado oil and Community Fair Trade shea butter. The luscious butter provides 96-hour moisture for dry skin and works tremendously well for dehydrated summer skin!
As someone who hates rose fragrances, even I converted to liking floral scents with the Full Rose Eau de Parfum from The Body Shop’s Full Flowers collection. This fresh, aromatic fragrance captures notes of rose petals, geranium leaf, and cardamom in a sustainably crafted, gorgeous bottle.
One of my first ever Body Shop purchases was the Satsuma Body Mist. Infused with cold-pressed satsuma essence and sugarcane from Brazil, this fragrance mist offers an ultra-fine, long-lasting citrus scent. It’s a vibrant, refreshing choice for anyone on the move.
To make your showers much more fragrant, the Strawberry Shower Gel is a fan favourite, enriched with cold-pressed strawberry seed oil. The fresh strawberry scent invigorates your senses, leaving your skin clean and sweetly scented.
Another great perfume that lasts all day is the Full Iris Eau de Parfum. Featuring notes of iris concrete, juniper berries, and cedarwood, the unisex scent evolves throughout the day.
I also really love the Moringa Shower Gel. Enriched with moringa seed oil and organic aloe vera, it gently cleanses and nourishes your skin, leaving it refreshed and subtly perfumed.
While we say #RIPBodyShop (in the US!!), let’s not forget what it stands for; the principles of ethical consumerism, sustainability, and cruelty-free beauty are legacies that will continue to influence the market. So, whether it’s to relive the nostalgia or introduce them to a friend, grabbing these favourites is something you won’t regret.
Featured Image: Instagram / @daimarusapporo