Body Shop founder leaves good will legacy

LONDON Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop, has passed away at the age of 64.

Roddick helped take The Body Shop from one store in southern England, to an international chain, using the successful business model of selling "green." She catered to the conscious consumer by opposing animal testing and promoting development in Third World nations.

Today the Body Shop has about 2,000 stores in 50 countries. It is operated independently, though owned by L'Oreal Group.

In a statement on The Body Shop's Web site, the company commented on the loss of its founder, "All of us in The Body Shop family are deeply shocked and saddened to hear the news about Anita's passing away. Anita was not only our founder but she was also the heart and passion of The Body Shop and with her we achieved so much, whether on animal rights, human rights, community trade, or through the founding of organisations like Children on the Edge. It is no exaggeration to say that she changed the world of business with her campaigns for social and environmental responsibility. But for everyone who knew Anita, it was about much more than that: you couldn't help but be inspired by her love of life, her vision of the world and her passion for changing it. Anita leaves us with an enduring legacy which will long guide the affairs of The Body Shop. Our heartfelt condolences are with the Roddick family at this sad time."