Bodycare reportedly seeking buyer for business

Beauty retailer Bodycare, which operates 130 stores in the UK, is reportedly working with Interpath Advisory to attract a new owner.

Sky News has reported that the retailer, which was founded in 1970, was in the early stages of auction and reviewing a number of opportunities.

Bodycare was established by Margaret Blackledge in Skelmersdale on a market stall in Skelmersdale, Lancashire and additional to its store portfolio it has an online shop. It sells brands including Nivea, Olay and L'Oréal across categories such as cosmetics, skincare, haircare, fragrances as well as health and wellbeing.

People close to the process told Sky that during the pandemic the chain had lost millions on pounds, even though it was profitable prior to the last two financial years.

While customer footfall had partly recovered, it was still below pre-pandemic levels, according to business accounts filed in July 2021.

Bodycare's search for a buyer coincides with chemist retail chain Boots being put up for sale by its US-based parent company. Walgreens reportedly gave bidders more time to propose final offers for the Boots UK business last week. The business originally requested binding offers by 16 May 2022.