THE Body Shop has issued a heartfelt message to their loyal shoppers after the chain collapsed into administration.
The sad announcement has left 200 stores across the UK at risk of closure and thousands of shoppers rushing to stock up on their favourite products from the cosmetics and skincare chain.
The Body Shop released a statement saying: "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."
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The retailer's owners Aurelius have appointed administrators at FRP Advisory throwing doubt over the future of the iconic high street brand.
FRP said the move to place the retailer into administration “provides the stability, flexibility and security to find the best means of securing the future” of the chain.
They said: “The joint administrators will now consider all options to find a way forward for the business and will update creditors and employees in due course.”
The Body Shop employs 2,000 workers in the UK across their hundreds of beloved stores.
We have a full list of The Body Shop stores at risk of closing.
The Body Shop will continue to trade, with shops and the online site remaining open and making sales.
One upset shopper wrote on social media after hearing the news: "Gutted as I do use there products! Gonna have to stock up!"
Another said: "Best stock up on our faves!"
A third commented and tagged her pal: "Best stock up on the grapefruit hand cream Debs!!!"
A fourth posted: "Gutted buy all my skincare there. Not expensive at all for the quality of products."
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The Body Shop was bought by private equity firm Aurelius from former owner Natura and Co in November in a deal worth £207 million.
The cosmetics group said it was looking to shift its focus away from the UK market and towards South America.
New owners Aurelius, a private equity group which also owns Lloyds Pharmacy and Footasylum, also confirmed it sold off most of The Body Shop business in mainland Europe and parts of Asia last month.
The administration of its UK branch of the business comes just weeks after it axed the Body Shop at Home service in the UK and Australia after 30 years.
The Avon-style business lets individual consultants sell products to customers from the comfort of their home.
Thousands of consultants currently use the Body Shop at Home service, but it will close for good on February 23.
The Body Shop was founded by Anita Roddick and her husband Gordon in Brighton in 1976.
How has the UK high street been affected recently?
The Body Shop, like many other high street retailers, has experienced financial struggles amid a challenging backdrop for shoppers.
Brick-and-mortar shops have been hit hard due to shopping habits turning more to online retail.
Numerous high street brands have collapsed into administration in the last 12 months, including major discounter Wilko.
The much-loved brand has since returned to the high street under The Range's ownership, and Wilko branded items are being stocked in The Range stores.
Both M&Co and Joules are among the well-known brands which went bust in 2022.
Paperchase then collapsed into administration at the end of January last year and all 106 stores later closed for good.
Elsewhere, The Sun has put together a handy guide to all the retailers shutting shops in February including Boots and Costa.
