The Body Shop goes even greener with new concept store

The Body Shop has revamped one of its busiest flagship locations to a new format that harkens back to its pioneering eco-friendly roots and activist spirit.

The store, on Bond St. in central London, has been redone to include features that promote sustainability and encourage activism on the part of customers. It now includes a water station where shoppers can refill their bottles and a product refill station. In addition, shoppers who return empty bottles and containers (from any brand) can earn a Body Shop voucher for every five returned.

Additional features include a dedicated “activism corner” where customers can learn about The Body Shop’s roots and its long history of social activism campaigns. A screen on the wall provides information about the latest campaigns and how customers can get involved.

In keeping with the brand’s green ethos, the renovation was done primarily with materials rescued from landfills and other green materials such as reclaimed steel and recycled wood and plastic.  The façade is outfitted with zinc cladding,   which requires less energy for production than other metals and is produced from recycled materials.

Founded in 1976, The Body Shop was one of the first chain retailers to ban the use of ingredients tested on animals and one of the first to promote fair trade with developing countries. It operates some 3,000 stores in more than 60 countries. Founder Anita Roddick, who died in 2007, was a pioneering social activist in the retail community. In 2006, the brand was sold to beauty giant L’Oreal. In 2017, L’Oreal sold The Body Shop to Brazilian cosmetics company Natura. At the time, L'Oreal chairman and CEO Jean-Paul Agon said Natura was "the best new owner we could imagine to nurture the brand DNA around naturality and ethics.”