‘Going to stock up’ cry fans as high street chain with 200 stores collapses & they’re convinced about the real reason

SHOPPERS have been rushing to stock up on their favourites after a high street chain fell into administration.

It comes after iconic brand The Body Shop collapsed yesterday and fans are convinced they know the real reason.

Last week, reports emerged that The Body Shop was set to call in administrators and begin the insolvency process.

Administrators have now said they will “consider all options" to find a way forward" for the beloved chain.

Currently, The Body Shop is continuing to trade through its 200 stores and online.

This has led to hundreds of shoppers itching to stock up on the chain's cosmetics and skincare items.

One wrote on social media: "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.

"Looks like I better get stocked up as I don’t fancy paying the price of Boots."

Others urged their family and friends to head down to their closest shop and check if there's a sale on over the coming weeks.

Elsewhere fans have been speculating over the cause of the chain's demise.

Most are putting the collapse down to the "extortionate" prices.

"Sad so it is, but they priced themselves out of the market," one said.

Another wrote: "Surprised it's taken this long, been selling overpriced tat for decades."

A third described the collapse as "so sad" but said they hadn't been able to shop their for a long time due to costs.

They commented: "It is really sad, have used Bodyshop since I was a teenager in the 90s, but not so much these last couple of years, it become way too expensive."

A fourth said: "Can’t say I’m surprised. Amazing shop but so over priced."

While a fifth declared: "Very sad but not surprising, The Body Shop is extortionate in price!"

Some do feel the chain isn't quite as pricey as others in the market though.

A shopper wrote: "That is a shame - it's another loss to our high street and a lot of people may/will lose their jobs…

"Maybe the products were a little expensive, but nowhere near as much as some."

Experts have also weighed in on what could have gone wrong for The Body Shop.

Dr Amna Khan, a senior lecturer in consumer behaviour and retailing at Manchester Metropolitan University, told The Sun that the 2017 sale of the chain to Loreal could be a cause.

She said: "When Body Shop was sold to Loreal, a lot of consumers felt as though this did not align with the original values and ethical stance of the business, which made a lot of consumers lose the original emotional connection and association with the brand."

However, the expert also suggested that over time popular products like White Musk had failed to entice the consumer as much as other brands connected with consumers, such as Lush.

Dr Khan added: "Body Shop failed to keep close to the consumer and evolve with them.

"There needs to be a closer connection with the consumer's changing needs and lifestyles.

"They haven’t innovated with their products to align with consumers' sense of novelty, and the stores haven’t innovated on the in-store consumer experience."

What will happen to The Body Shop now?

The administration process only affects the UK The Body Shop business, with international franchises not impacted.

So far, chain bosses have not revealed what will happen to all 199 shops and 2,000 staff.

The retailer was founded in 1976 by Anita Roddick and her husband Gordon as one of the first companies to focus on ethically produced cosmetics and skincare products.

It comes only weeks after new owners, European private equity firm Aurelius, took control of the business.

Aurelius, which specialises in buying and turning around troubled firms, secured a £207million deal in November to buy The Body Shop from Brazilian cosmetics giant Natura & Co.

It only took control of operations officially on January 1.

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.

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.

But it 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.

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