Is The Body Shop Still in Business and Where Can You Buy Your Favorite Products?
Yes, The Body Shop is still in business. As of August 2026, the brand is operating under the ownership of the Auréa Group, which acquired the company in late 2024 following a period of financial restructuring. While the brand remains active globally, its retail presence has shifted significantly:
- USA All physical standalone boutiques were closed in March 2024. Products are now primarily available through the Official Amazon Storefront and select wholesale partners.
- UK The brand maintains a strong physical presence, though nearly half of its original store count was reduced during the 2024 administration process.
- Canada Operations continue following a successful reorganization under bankruptcy protection.
- Online The official websites for the UK and Canada remain the most reliable direct-to-consumer channels.
Image source: Wikipedia
What Is the Current Status of The Body Shop in 2026?
The journey of The Body Shop over the last few years has been a complex saga of ownership changes and financial pivots. To understand where the brand stands today, one must look at the Auréa Group era. In September 2024, the investment firm Auréa Group, led by beauty industry veteran Mike Jatania, finalized the acquisition of the brand from Aurelius. This move was widely seen as a "revival" phase, intended to stabilize a brand that had seen four different owners in less than two decades.
According to historical ownership data, the brand moved from its founder Anita Roddick to L'Oréal in 2006, then to Natura & Co in 2017, and briefly to Aurelius in 2023. The 2024 administration process in the UK was a pivotal moment, resulting in a 40% reduction in head office staff and the closure of approximately 75 stores to ensure the long-term viability of the remaining business.
In 2026, the operational reality is one of "digital-first" expansion. The Auréa Group has focused on streamlining the supply chain and refocusing on the core ethical values that made the brand a household name in the 1980s and 90s. While the viral headlines of 2024 suggested a total collapse, the reality was a strategic withdrawal from high-overhead physical retail in the United States to protect the brand's global intellectual property and manufacturing capabilities.
The Difference Between Brand Closure and Store Shuttering
Many consumers remain confused because their local mall location disappeared overnight. It is important to distinguish between the legal entity of The Body Shop and its physical storefronts. While the US retail division filed for liquidation, the global brand and its UK-based manufacturing remained intact. This allowed the brand to continue producing its iconic Body Butters and Tea Tree oils even as the signs were taken down from American shopping centers.
Where Can You Buy Authentic The Body Shop Products Right Now?
Finding your favorite skincare staples requires a slightly different approach than it did five years ago. Because the retail landscape is fragmented, shoppers must be diligent about where they source their products to ensure they are receiving authentic, fresh stock rather than expired inventory from third-party resellers.
The Official Amazon Storefront has emerged as the primary lifeline for customers in the United States. This storefront is managed directly by the brand, ensuring that the products meet the same quality standards as those previously found in boutiques. For those who prefer the traditional web experience, the Official UK Website remains fully operational, offering a complete catalog and loyalty program benefits for UK-based shoppers, often with free shipping thresholds around £35.
Authorized Retail Partners
Beyond the direct digital channels, The Body Shop has maintained presence in several "shop-in-shop" environments. In Canada, the brand continues to operate in major malls, while in the US, select products can occasionally be found through authorized beauty retailers like Ulta. However, the most consistent inventory is found online. When shopping on platforms like Amazon, look for the "Visit the The Body Shop Store" link under the product title to confirm you are buying from the authorized brand page rather than a random reseller.
How The Body Shop Operations Differ by Country
The experience of a Body Shop customer in London is vastly different from one in New York or Toronto in 2026. The brand's restructuring was handled differently in each jurisdiction based on local insolvency laws and market demand.
| Region | Physical Stores | Primary Online Channel | Gift Card Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | ~100+ Stores Active | Official UK Site | Honored (New Terms) |
| United States | None (Closed 2024) | Official Amazon Store | Generally Expired/Frozen |
| Canada | Select Locations Open | Official Canada Site | Honored in-store |
| Europe | Varies by Country | Regional Sites | Varies by Franchise |
In the United Kingdom, the brand is treated as a national treasure. Despite the store closures, the Auréa Group has reinvested in the flagship locations and the "refill station" concept, which allows customers to bring back empty aluminum bottles for a discount on their next purchase. This remains a core part of their sustainability strategy in the domestic market.
In Canada, the brand's path involved a more traditional reorganization. By utilizing bankruptcy protection, the Canadian division was able to renegotiate leases and keep a significant number of stores open, particularly in high-traffic urban centers. This makes Canada one of the few places in North America where you can still experience the brand's famous "sensory" shopping environment.
Image source: Fashion network
The Surprising History of The Body Shop Name and Vision
To understand why fans are so loyal to The Body Shop, one must look back to its founding in 1976 by Anita Roddick. Starting with just 15 products in a small shop in Brighton, England, Roddick pioneered the idea that business could be a force for good. She famously used urine-sample bottles for her first products because they were cheap and could be easily cleaned for refills—a necessity that birthed a global sustainability movement.
The brand's "Trade Not Aid" (now Community Fair Trade) program was notably innovative for its time. By sourcing ingredients like shea butter from women's cooperatives in Ghana and hemp from farmers in France, the brand created a supply chain that prioritized social impact over pure profit margins. This ethical foundation is what the Auréa Group is currently attempting to revitalize in 2026, moving away from the mass-market approach of previous owners.
Which Best-Selling Products Are Still Available to Purchase?
Despite the corporate upheaval, the product formulations have remained remarkably consistent. The brand's "icons" continue to drive the majority of sales, and the new ownership has prioritized keeping these staples in stock. According to current catalog listings, the following ranges remain the most popular:
- The Vitamin E Range: Widely regarded as one of the most reliable hydrating lines in the industry. The Moisture Cream and Overnight Serum-in-Oil continue to be top-rated choices for all skin types.
- Tea Tree Oil Collection: Sourced from the foothills of Mount Kenya, this range is a staple for blemish-prone skin. The targeted oil and skin-clearing facial wash remain among the strongest performers in the category.
- Body Butters: The product that arguably put the brand on the map. The Shea, Coconut, and Mango variations offer deep hydration and are now sold in fully recyclable packaging.
- Ginger Anti-Dandruff Shampoo: This product has a massive cult following. Many users find it ranks among the top options for scalp care due to its potent blend of ginger essential oil and birch bark extract.
Image source: The Body Shop
What to Buy If Your Favorite Product Is Out of Stock
During the transition to Auréa Group ownership, some supply chain disruptions occurred, leading to temporary out-of-stock messages for specific fragrances or limited-edition items. If you are struggling to find your specific favorite, several ethical alternatives align with the "Roddick Vision" of beauty:
- Lush Cosmetics: A natural successor for those who loved The Body Shop's fresh, handmade feel. Lush offers exceptionally strong ethical standards and a similar focus on minimal packaging.
- Ethique: If you were a fan of The Body Shop's shampoo bars or sustainability efforts, Ethique is a premier choice. They are entirely plastic-free and offer highly concentrated formulas.
- The Ordinary: For those who relied on The Body Shop for targeted treatments (like Vitamin C or Hyaluronic Acid), The Ordinary provides a top-tier alternative with transparent ingredient lists and affordable pricing.
When looking for "dupes," focus on the key active ingredients. For example, if the Tea Tree oil is unavailable, look for brands that use 100% pure Melaleuca Alternifolia oil sourced through fair trade practices. This ensures you maintain the ethical impact of your purchase while satisfying your skincare needs.
What Happened to Your Love Your Body Club Points and Gift Cards?
One of the most frustrating aspects of the 2024 administration was the impact on loyal customers. In the UK, gift cards were temporarily frozen during the legal proceedings. Under the new 2026 Auréa Group policies, most UK loyalty accounts have been migrated to a new system, though legacy points from before February 2024 may have expired depending on the specific terms of the administration.
In the United States, the situation is more difficult. Because the US retail arm was a separate legal entity that underwent liquidation, most gift cards purchased before March 2024 are no longer valid. However, the brand has occasionally offered "welcome back" discounts for former club members who sign up for the new digital newsletter on the Amazon storefront or the international site. If you have a significant balance on a legacy card, the best course of action is to contact the current customer service team via the official website to see if any discretionary credit can be applied to your new account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Body Shop still cruelty-free under new ownership?
Yes, The Body Shop remains committed to its cruelty-free roots. The brand continues to hold its Leaping Bunny certification, which is the gold standard for non-animal tested products. The Auréa Group has explicitly stated that maintaining these ethical certifications is a top priority for the brand's 2026 strategy.
Why did The Body Shop close all its stores in the US?
The closure was primarily due to a combination of high retail overhead, declining mall foot traffic, and financial instability under the previous owners, Aurelius. By closing physical stores, the brand was able to shed expensive leases and pivot to a more profitable wholesale and e-commerce model, which is how most US customers shop for beauty products today.
Who is the Auréa Group and who owns them?
The Auréa Group is a specialist investment firm focused on the beauty and wellness sectors. It is led by Mike Jatania, who previously ran Lornamead (the company behind brands like Yardley and Lypsyl). They acquired The Body Shop in late 2024 with the goal of returning the brand to its activist roots.
Can I still return products bought at a US store in 2024?
Generally, no. Since the physical US stores were part of a liquidated entity, returns are no longer accepted for those purchases. However, if you bought a product recently through the official Amazon storefront, you are covered by Amazon's standard return policy.
Is the official website safe to shop from in 2026?
Yes, the official websites for the UK, Canada, and the international portals are fully secure and managed by the new corporate structure. They remain the most reliable source for the full range of products, including new launches and seasonal collections.
The Bottom Line
The Body Shop is currently in a significant "revival" phase. While the way we shop for the brand has changed, the products and the mission remain intact. Here are the key takeaways for 2026:
- Ownership: The brand is now owned by Auréa Group, providing much-needed stability.
- US Availability: Physical stores are gone, but the Official Amazon Storefront is the primary authorized seller.
- UK/Canada: These regions still enjoy physical retail locations and full website support.
- Product Quality: Iconic lines like Vitamin E and Tea Tree remain in production with original formulations.
- Ethical Status: The brand maintains its Cruelty-Free and Vegan certifications.
- Loyalty: UK customers should check the new loyalty portal, while US customers should look for digital-first promotions.
If you are looking for your favorite Body Butter today, your most reliable next step is to visit the official Amazon storefront or the UK website to ensure you are getting authentic, fresh products.