Beauty brand The Body Shop has returned to New Zealand under new ownership with the opening of a new store in Richmond, a town near Nelson in the South Island.
The New Zealand operation of The Body Shop became entangled in the financial difficulties facing the UK parent company and entered liquidation in April 2025, resulting in the closure of 16 stores and the loss of approximately 70 jobs.
A newly independent franchise called Version3, owned by Pamela Bonira and Khan Wyman from Nelson, has revived The Body Shop brand by opening a store in Richmond along with launching an online shopping platform.
“Our vision is simple: to provide high-quality ethical products while rebuilding strong relationships with our community,” franchise general manager Wyman said.
Wyman noted that the brand’s comeback had received strong interest and support from the public.
“We expect organic growth in 2026 and beyond and plan for at least two more stores across the country in the coming years, guided by customer feedback and demand.”
The chair and chief executive of the revived UK Body Shop, Mike Jatania, also commented on the company’s re-entry to New Zealand, describing the milestone as “a step forward in growing the business.”
“This launch will not only reconnect us with a passionate customer base but also contribute to the sustainable, long-term growth of our business.”