Remaining Body Shop stores saved thanks to rescue deal

The Body Shop’s remaining stores have been saved from administration thanks to a rescue deal.

It comes after the chain collapsed into administration in February this year, leading to the closure of 75 outlets including those in Carlisle and Kendal.

Consortium Auréa Group – led by the British cosmetics giant Mike Jatania – has bought 113 of The Body Shop’s UK stores that are still trading for an undisclosed sum, the BBC has reported.

While Auréa Group said it does not immediately plan to shut all stores, it will monitor the footprint of the estate over the coming months as it tries to manage the ethical beauty brand’s finances.

FRP Advisory were initially appointed as the retailer’s administrators back in February.

The advisory group said The Body Shop has faced an extended period of financial challenges under past owners combined with a difficult trading environment for the wider retail sector.

While The Body Shop’s Kendal and Carlisle stores have closed – the firm’s shop at Caledonia Park, formerly Gretna Gateway, is still trading.