As reported by Global Cosmetics News and other media specialised in the cosmetics sector, The Body Shop already has a buyer. Aurelius Group, a private equity investor and owner of Footasylum, is in advanced negotiations for the acquisition of The Body Shop.
The French news agency Reuters also reported the news yesterday, and said that, if the purchase agreement is confirmed, The Body Shop cosmetics chain would be valued at a price of less than 400-500 million pounds.
As the same source indicates, Natura and Aurelius have neither confirmed nor denied this information.
Aurelius Group is an investment fund that owns Lloyds Pharmacy and has been able to make a more attractive offer than the one offered by private equity firm Epiris and Elliott Advisors.
British firm The Body Shop, which owns the Brazilian group Natura, was told by its owner in August to seek "more strategic alternatives" for its sale. The Body Shop has a network of 3,000 shops in 70 countries and employs more than 10,000 staff.
The Body Shop has been looking to consolidate positive results for years, but is failing to do so. The Body Shop's net income for the second quarter of 2023 was down 12% at constant exchange rates, while in the first quarter of the financial year it was also down 9.4%.