BCBusiness
The iconic bath and body brand went into bankruptcy in 2024, and is now getting revived through new Canadian ownership.
When the Body Shop filed for creditor protection under the Canadian bankruptcy act in March 2024, the longtime mall bath and skincare stalwart immediately shuttered 33 of its 105 Canadian shops. In the year following, more of the shops had been closed, leaving only 62 standing.
Then, an acquisition by Canadian-owned company Serruya Private Equity promised to breathe new life into the struggling retail brand in August 2025, re-opening two new locations in Ontario (Sherway Gardens and Lime Ridge Mall). British Columbia sees the brand’s third new shop opening since Serruya Private Equity’s takeover of the U.K.-born company: a new flagship store in Vancouver’s Pacific Centre, which quietly opened to the public on November 27.
“Being Canadian-owned allows The Body Shop Canada to move with greater agility, tailoring our approach to meet the values and expectations of Canadian consumers,” Michael Roden, president of The Body Shop Canada, said in a press release.
“With the support of a strong executive team, I am proud to be guiding The Body Shop Canada into this new era. Our focus is on creating immersive experiences, both in-store and online, that reignite passion for the brand and welcome the next generation of customers.”
The new Pacific Centre store marks the 14th Body Shop Canada in B.C., and aims to re-up on the retail experience by providing skin consultations, interactive product testing and community-minded areas.
The new shop will have its grand opening tomorrow (Wednesday, December 3) at Pacific Centre, with a few bonuses for folks who show up at 10 a.m.: the first 100 people to peruse the new shop will get a Body Shop advent calendar ($99 otherwise), after that, 50 shoppers will get a $50 Body shop gift card to spend in store, plus caramel lattes and cranberry apple cider will be served.
“Our Vancouver flagship represents an exciting moment for The Body Shop Canada,” Roden, who was previously CEO of Thrifty’s, said. “The West Coast has always embraced our values, and this new store allows us to deliver a more engaging, modern and meaningful experience. We’re proud to continue building a brand that feels both globally inspired and distinctly Canadian.”
Originally founded in 1976 in the U.K. by Dame Anita Roddick, The Body Shop was a pioneering brand in creating cosmetics that were cruelty-free and made with ethically-sourced or fair trade ingredients.
Kristi Alexandra is the managing editor, food and culture, at Canada Wide Media. She loves food, travel, film and wine (but most of all, writing about them for Vancouver Magazine, Western Living and BCBusiness). Send any food and culture-related pitches to her at [email protected].
Get the latest headlines delivered to your inbox 3 times a week, and you’ll be entered to win a pair of Kanto’s newest compact desktop speakers—Uki in the colour “Chalk,” as well as a pair of SU2 stands. Prize value is $330 CAD. Each newsletter subscription = 1 entry. Giveaway closes December 12. The winner will be contacted by an @canadawide.com email. Contest is only open to Canadian residents, excluding Quebec.