Sales lapse, costs send Body Shop into the red

TOILETRIES and make-up group Body Shop International yesterday reported a tumble into the red after a slip in sales and heavy costs.

The group, famous for its “environmentally-friendly” stance, said sales had been hurt by tougher trading conditions in Europe and the US.

Like-for-like sales for the six months to August 31 were down 1% on the same period last year, while in Ireland and Britain, where the group has 319 shops, sales showed a 3% slide.