The Body Shop could be put for sale by owner

The Body Shop could be put up for sale by its owner as part of an overhaul of its health and cosmetics business, according to This is Money.

Natura & Co's CEO and Executive Chairman Roberto Marques is looking to "slim down the firm" and is reviewing options. The news agency reported this could include selling off big-name brands.

Senior City advisers said Natura & Co, which also owns Avon and Aesop, could also be taken over by private equity. One anonymous said: "It's not in a great position and going through a difficult time. They may sell something like The Body Shop or possibly go private."

In June 2022, Natura & Co began a group reorganisation, which saw Roberto Marques announce that he will be stepping down and retiring at the end of the year.

The group's reorganisation also revealed that roles including Sustainable Growth Officer and Chief Transformation Officer would no longer exist in the new structure.

At the time, Roberto Marques said: "Today we are announcing another important milestone by reenergising the capacity of our four business units. They will be supported by a new and leaner corporate structure that will be implemented in the coming months."

Earlier this month, Natura & Co released its financial results for the second quarter, revealing a 0.4% increase in revenue at constant currency to £1.3 billion (R$8.7 billion).

The Body Shop net revenue decreased 11.8% to £145 million (R$909.4 million), mostly affected by post-lockdown channel rebalancing, with a decrease in sales at The Body Shop At Home and ecommerce.