Body shop reports Christmas sales slump

Beauty products retailer The Body Shop International Plc said on Thursday like-for-like sales over the Christmas trading period were 5% lower but margins rose due to less discounting.

The Body Shop operates nearly 2,000 stores (about 70% are franchised) in almost 50 countries. It also sells its products via Body Shop at Home, an in-home sales program, in 48 US states and Australia.

Weak sales in its home UK market were offset by strong performance in the USA and Asia Pacific.

It said its forecast for the full year was in line with market expectations.

Founder Anita Roddick and Gordon Roddick (her husband) own about 15% of the company.