The Body Shop plots diversification push with hotel toiletries plan
The Body Shop is considering making mini toiletries for hotels as part of its new strategy following its collapse into administration two years ago.
The retailer’s chief executive Mike Jatania told The Telegraph that the retailer was keen to meet the customer “where the customer shops”, adding that they should not be forced to shop just in its physical stores.
While The Body Shop is currently focusing on improving its online sales and signing more wholesale deals, Jatania said it would eventually make products such as shampoo, conditioner and shower gel available to hotels as amenities. It is also looking to sell more products at rivals’ stores.
Subscribe to TRBThe retailer was rescued from administration by a consortium led by Jatania’s investment firm Auréa Group in September 2024, which included the acquisition of 113 sites.
Jatania told The Telegraph that it was fortunate that The Body Shop’s unprofitable stores were closed during the administration, which gave it a “good place to start with”.
However, he said the retailer would be unlikely to open many more stores across the UK, and warned that recent government policies were making it difficult to be profitable.
He said: “Let’s face it, the high street retailers are all under pressure with some of the changes that have happened in business rates and in the minimum wage, so we have to be sharp.”
