Our story began in 1976 in Brighton, England. It all started with our founder, Dame Anita Roddick, and her revolutionary belief: that business could be a force for good. For over 40 years, we've been breaking rules, never faking, and bringing about change as a result of her vision.
“Business shapes the world. It is capable of changing society in almost any way you can imagine.”
Dame Anita Roddick
FOUNDER OF THE BODY SHOP
When The Body Shop first opened its doors in 1976, it was a small green-painted shop in Brighton, England. Its approach to beauty was markedly different from that of the industry's major players. It was straightforward - ethically sourced and naturally derived ingredients from around the world, in uncomplicated packaging that could be easily refilled. Products and beauty rituals are designed for everybody, with the goal of making women feel good in their own skin rather than promising to make them look like someone else.
“Social and environmental dimensions are woven into the fabric of the company itself. They are neither first not last among our objectives, but an ongoing part of everything we do.”
Dame Anita Roddick
FOUNDER OF THE BODY SHOP
This type of approach was cutting-edge over 40 years ago. The Body Shop was always more than a beauty brand thanks to Anita's passion for the environment and campaigning for causes. It had a goal - profit and principles working in tandem. Our products were never tested on animals and were not created by exploiting anyone. Through our Community Fair Trade program, we worked fairly with farmers and suppliers and helped communities thrive. Today, more and more brands are following in our footsteps, and we are delighted to welcome them. The world requires it.
“Beauty is an outward expression of everything you like about yourself.”
Dame Anita Roddick
FOUNDER OF THE BODY SHOP
When The Body Shop first started, the beauty industry had pretty set ideas on what girls and women should look like. But Anita had her own ideas, too. She believed that beauty was a person’s source of joy, comfort and self-esteem. It was what you liked about yourself, and what made you feel good. Her beauty products, she believed, were more about a daily ritual of self-love instead of the false promising of slimming and anti-ageing that the industry pedalled. She didn’t want to create products to make women look a certain way – but to help them be the best versions of themselves. “I think all business practices would improve immeasurably if they were guided by ‘feminine’ principles.”
Dame Anita Roddick - FOUNDER OF THE BODY SHOP
Read moreAnita was an activist at heart. It’s what gave The Body Shop our unique purpose and drive for social change. A true feminist and human rights activist, she built the brand on empowering women and girls with every product and every business decision, striving for equality and creating opportunities for women through our Community Fair Trade programme. Principles some labelled as ‘feminine’ – inclusivity, collaboration and compassion – are the foundation of our brand.
The Body Shop is rooted in activism, and our history of campaigning started in 1986. Anita teamed up with Greenpeace on the Save the Whale campaign to fight the cruel practise of whaling, promoting jojoba oil as a substitute for sperm whale oil, which was used widely in cosmetics at the time. We started big. We started as we meant to go on. Today, we’re a trusted global brand with decades of successful activism behind us, and we’re in a unique position to voice millions of customers’ concerns and take our causes to decision makers around the world, to secure long-term positive change.
Read more
