The Body Shop Sell-out

Sue writes: Absolutely unbelievable. I have been a huge supporter of the Body Shop over the past 20 years and have hosted a couple of Body Shop Parties at my home. Never again. What an absolute sell out of principles. I can't believe that they can even attempt to explain it. I have emailed Body Shop to tell them this and really don't want to even read their poor excuses if they decide to reply. Totally and utterly disgusted.

 

Mandy writes: I have been a customer of the Body Shop for over 25 years and could not believe it when my husband told me about the takeover. I e-mailed the Body Shop ... and asked them to state categorically that as a result of the takeover, L’Oreal would apply the same animal testing policy to all its products, as it would be the height of hypocrisy for a so-called ethical company with one set of values to continue to trade under the auspices of another company with a different set of values. I await their response.
 

 

Louise writes: I nearly forgot I was driving when I heard the takeover deal on the news. I simply couldn’t believe it. I grew up with The Body Shop. As a young teenage girl it is what started me on the path of animal respect and awareness, cosmetically. Everything I did, The Body Shop was always my reference – following their campaigns, trying to understand the big bad world out there – through their in-store leaflets and books. I bought all my skin care needs from them. They introduced me to the whole issue. This is absolutely unbelievable what they did. It’s such a cop-out, a complete about-turn. There is simply no excuse or any way they can dress up this takeover. This is not The Body Shop I knew.
 

 

Susan writes: This is madness. I honestly feel that L'Oreal know that their buying up The Body Shop is a way to kill it dead. What I don't understand is why The Body Shop Directors are so blind to this. The Body Shop plays a huge part in the battle against animal testing so it is well worthwhile for L'Oreal (who have been fighting vigorously to continue with animal testing) to spend this money (nothing to them) to buy and thus, exterminate it. If this sell out goes ahead it will be a very major blow to the battle against animal testing.
 

Ness writes: Words fail me!! So much for ethical living, it's hard enough and barely achievable but when something like this happens it says it all! Sold-out, money talks hey!!
 

Adele writes: I will be writing to the Head Offices of both L'Oreal and the Body Shop to express my extreme disappointment over the acquisition. I intend to return my "Love Your Body" Body Shop Loyalty Card to their Head Office to symbolise that I will not be bought by empty promises from L'Oreal, or marketing schemes.

Lynne writes: Hi i have sent my love your body card to you as soon as i heard about the take over by L oreal. I will not be spending another penny in the Bodayshop just to fill the pockets of L oreal, which would no doubt lead to new improved skincare at the expense of animals lives. the bodyshop has sold out on all that they stood for. But at the end of the day it boiled down to money over principles.
 

Paul writes: I have just sent an e mail to The Body Shop explaining in no uncertain terms my opinion of their so called ethical leader Ms Roddick. You should receive my Body Shop loyalty card, first class tomorrow.
 

Della writes: "i am absolutely disgusted with this sell-out"

Jo writes: "I am saddened and disappointed by the L'oreal take-over of The Body Shop. As a loyal customer since childhood it is going to be very difficult for me to boycott The Body Shop but as I boycott both L'oreal and Nestle I can no longer shop at The Body Shop with a clear conscience.

"I will be sending my loyalty card to Naturewatch."

Tara writes: "I am absolutely outraged that the Body Shop have sold out to L'Oreal. After all the Body Shop have stood for over the years!!!!"

Sue writes: "I am very disappointed in anita roddick over this takeover. i liked the body shop. whilst their products were not very cheap, they were easy to purchase. it is very difficult to buy non tested products in the high street so i valued this store. words fail me to learn that not only have they sold the 'business' but to a company who i feel is probably the worst choice they could have made if they really had principles.

"unfortunately this has lost my trust in any company which states they are animal friendly."

Suzanne writes: "It may be that the Body Shop will retain its independence and existing identity and values, but the fact remains that it will be owned by L'Oreal who have an appalling track record when it comes to animal testing. L'Oreal's statement that it will use the purchase of the Body Shop as "a platform for further expansion of Body Shop's values" is in my view merely a statement made to try to justify the purchase to the public. There are other multi-national cosmetics corporations, such as Clarins, who have not relied on animal testing for some time, so I fail to see why the purchase of the Body Shop will make any difference to L'Oreal. It they were truly committed to change, they would have done so already."