On July 17, The Body Shop France, the French subsidiary of British cosmetics chain The Body Shop, was placed in judicial liquidation. The court-appointed liquidators are now looking for buyers for the chain’s 56 trade premises across France. These commercial properties are currently used to retail all kinds of cosmetics and haircare products, and also include storage space for the products.

Of the 56 premises in need of buyers, 20 are located in the Ile-de-France region, mainly within shopping malls close to Paris, such as Les 4 Temps at La Défense, and five in Paris itself. Seven properties are located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, notably in Lyon and Annecy.

As well as for the trade premises, buyers are sought for The Body Shop France’s inventory. Since the French subsidiary did not own the brand rights to The Body Shop, any remaining stock will probably be sold off to unbranded product specialists. The deadline to submit tenders is September 18.

The Body Shop France was initially placed in judicial receivership on April 4. The company attracted the interest of only two buyers, one of which later withdrew. The remaining bid, by Berger International, which had been revised downwards, was not accepted. 

While the French subsidiary’s liquidation marks the end of The Body Shop’s presence in France, in the UK the situation seems to be gradually heading towards a solution for its parent company. According to its administrators, The Body Shop International is close to a deal with a consortium of buyers led by Aurea.