The Body Shop adventure is coming to an end in Switzerland too! Coop, the franchise holder in the Alpine country, has decided not to extend its contract, saying the brand has lost its previous unique positioning.
“After an in-depth analysis, Coop has decided not to renew the franchise contract for The Body Shop Switzerland. The previous unique positioning in the market defined by the franchisor The Body Shop International Ltd no longer exists. The revitalization programme pursued in recent years by the franchisor did not achieve the targeted effect, despite the intensive efforts and considerable commitment on the part of the employees of The Body Shop Switzerland,” said the Swiss retailer.
Coop also said it is looking into a different use for the 33 sales areas that will become available. All 108 employees of The Body Shop Switzerland will be offered further employment within the group
The franchise contract will run until the end of May 2025.
Founded in 1976 in Brighton, southern England, by Anita and Gordon Roddick, The Body Shop has gained worldwide recognition for its ethical values and focus on sustainable practices. The company was acquired by L’Oréal in 2006, then by the Brazil’s beauty giant Natura in 2017. The latter sold it in November 2023 to the Aurelius fund, which announced the bankruptcy of the parent company shortly after. Finally, in June 2024, the brand was acquired by the investment fund Auréa Holding, founded by British businessman Mike Jatania. After a severe restructuring, it is said to have returned to profit.
Despite this, closures continue to occur around the world. Earlier this month, the Natura &Co group, which had retained the franchise in Brazil, also announced that it would not renew its contract and would close its stores.
