The Body Shop, founded in 1976 by Anita Roddick, currently has 2400 shops world wide and continues its steady growth still today. In the early years of the 70’s, Anita visited a Body Shop that created natural scented soaps and creams, which in turn inspired her to open her own shop in the UK. In 1987, Anita Roddick purchased the naming rights and instantly began her growth of The Body Shop.

The Body Shop is now owned by beauty brand L’Oreal when it was sold in 2006. The company was sold for hundreds of millions.

In 2007, Anita Rioddick passed away. She was paid tribute upon her death by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and named a pioneer.

In 1997, The Body Shop is the first international cosmetics company to sign up to the Humane Cosmetics Standard, supported by leading international animal protection groups.

In 1995 and 1997 The Body Shop Values Reports are recognised as trailblazing by United Nations Environmental Programme and Sustainability, and ranked highest in their review of International Corporate Environmental Reports.

In 1997, The Body Shop celebrates its 21st birthday with the launch of a new flagship store design, winning the prestigious Retail Week Store Design of the Year Award.

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1998, The Body Shop launches a joint worldwide campaign with Amnesty International to highlight the plight of human rights defenders around the world, encouraging customers to 'Make Your Mark' for human rights. This successful campaign saw three million people sign up.

In 1999, The Body Shop creates four new business units in the UK, Europe, the Americas and Asia, shifting its operational and management structure out to the regions.

2001 saw the first The Body Shop customer reward programme launched in the US. It becomes so popular, it's now in key markets globally, known as Love Your Body customer programme with customers rewarded by 10% off their purchases, free gifts and a birthday present, as well as other members-only benefits.

The Body Shop branches into South Africa in June 2001, via New Clicks Holdings as The Body Shop direct franchisee in South Africa. New Clicks have a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility through its New Clicks Foundation.

During 2002, The Body Shop runs a global campaign with Greenpeace International on promoting renewable energy, which culminates in the presentation of 1.6 million customer signatures at the World Summit for Sustainable Development in Johannesburg. We further our commitment to environmental sustainability through investment in renewable energy, funding of energy efficiency projects in the developing world, and incorporating post-consumer recyclate into our packaging.

During 2003 The Body Shop launches a global campaign to raise awareness and funds to help those affected by domestic violence. The Stop Violence In The Home campaign builds on almost a decade of campaigning on the issue in a number of our markets, including Canada, the USA, and West Malaysia. The campaign aims to highlight the issue, raise money to support the work of groups helping victims of violence, and ensure that customers and employees are provided with information on sources of advice and help.

Anita Roddick is appointed as a Dame of the British Empire as part of the Queen's Birthday Honours on Saturday 14th June 2003.

During 2003 The Body Shop launches in Estonia and Turkey.

In 2004 The Body Shop is the first global retailer to join the Board of the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil, working with NGOs and plantations to protect tropical rainforests and improve the human rights of workers and indigenous people.

In 2005 The Body Shop joins The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and is commended by Greenpeace and the Breastcancer Fund for our responsible chemicals policy.

During 2005 The Body Shop is awarded for achieving higher standards of animal welfare in the cosmetic category at the first annual awards of the Royal Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in the UK. An independent panel of judges chose The Body Shop as winners because of our Against Animal Testing policy.

In 2006 The Body Shop wins PETA's Proggy (progress) awards for its ongoing commitment to avoid animal testing.

In 2006, as part of the ongoing Stop Violence in the Home, The Body Shop creates a partnership with UNICEF and the United Nations Secretary-Generals Study on Violence Against Children, to conduct a study into the effects of domestic violence on children.

The Body Shop becomes part of the L'Oral Group and de-lists from the London Stock Exchange on July 12 2006. It retains its unique identity and Values and continues to be based in the United Kingdom. It operates independently within the L'Oral Group and is led by the current management team of The Body Shop reporting directly to the CEO of L'Oral, Jean-Paul Agon.

In 2007 The Body Shop join forces with MTV in a new brand partnership to raise funds and awareness about HIV and AIDS amongst young people, through the Spray to Change campaign. Over 430,000 is raised through sales of the limited edition Rougeberry fragrance. The money raised goes to the Staying Alive Foundation, a charity who fund with grass roots organizations raising awareness and educating young and at-risk groups about HIV and AIDS.

In January 2008 Sophie Gasperment joins The Body Shop, assuming the role of Chief Executive from June 2008.

August 2008 sees the unveiling of The Body Shop exciting new brand look.

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