The Body Shop

Founded in 1976 by Anita Roddick, The Body Shop built its identity on ethical sourcing, reusable packaging, and cruelty-free formulations. It brought beauty into alignment with activism from its earliest days.

Product Offerings and Sustainability Focus

The brand features over 900 products across skincare, body care, hair, makeup, fragrances and gifts. Natural ingredients are central, supported by fair trade sourcing programmes, and the brand is certified B Corp. Many lines remain cruelty-free with ongoing efforts to expand vegan certification.

Restructuring and Canadian Operations

Internationally, The Body Shop changed ownership several times—from L’Oréal to Natura & Co, and more recently to private equity firm Aurelius in late 2023. Financial strain led to filing for creditor protection in Canada in early 2024, resulting in the closure of 33 out of 105 stores and suspension of online sales. Despite these challenges, the brand continues operations in Canada under restructuring protection.

Practical Notes for Canadian Consumers

Availability is reduced, especially for major cities like Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary and others. Gift card support and online orders are still impacted by restructuring. However, remaining physical stores may still provide direct access to staples of the brand’s skincare ethos—check local store listings for open locations.

Final Perspective

The Body Shop remains a symbol of ethical beauty, though its operational footprint in Canada has shrunk recently. For users seeking fairness-aligned beauty, it still offers value—but availability is limited and evolving under restructuring.