Ethical retailing can come at a cost as former Body Shop suppliers are finding out. The unsecured creditors from the beauty retailer’s administration last year, including manufacturers, landlords, local councils and small charities, are to receive just 16-27% of the £219 million owed to them when the retailer went under.
DR
The retailer, which was founded by Anita Roddick in 1976 and was once part of both L’Oréal’s and Natura’s extensive beauty portfolios, fell into administration via its previous owner, German restructuring specialist Aurelius.
At the time of its collapse, administrators said the Body Shop’s debts totalled over £276 million, The Guardian reported.
The brand was rescued by a consortium led by the British cosmetics tycoon Mike Jatania in September, paying at least £44.3 million for the retailer, saving 1,300 jobs. However, its initial failure came at a cost of 80 stores closed and 750 jobs lost, taking its UK high street tally to 113.
In their latest update, administrators from FRP said UK tax authorities would be paid in full from the proceeds of the administration and workers would receive holiday pay owed. However it confirmed unsecured creditors owed £219 million in total, would receive only between 16% and 27% of the money owed.
The report shows the Body Shop owed millions of pounds to suppliers around the world, the most to Avon, the cosmetics group owned by Natura, at just over £13 million for products it manufactured.
The retailer’s former owner Aurelius did not receive any payment, the report said.
The group, now run by the former Molton Brown boss Charles Denton, has reportedly said the business “had achieved a profit in its first 100 days”.
Carter’s, Inc., the U.S. apparel maker for babies and young children, announced on Wednesday that Douglas Palladini has been appointed to the role of chief executive officer and president, effective April 3.
Carter’s
“Carter’s is a storied company with a powerful legacy and iconic brands that have long been trusted by families with young children for its quality, value, and style,” said Palladini.
“I am eager to continue to advance the important work underway in our retail and wholesale businesses, further build upon Carter’s brand equity, and create lasting connections with our customers through accelerated relevance, inspiring products, and meaningful storytelling.”
With over three decades of senior leadership experience within brand and direct-to-consumer strategy, Palladini joined Carter’s from V.F. Corporation, where he served as global brand president of Vans. In this role, he is credited for more than doubling global revenue to over $4.2 billion in less than six years, while also growing profitability and brand equity, among other achievements.
With Palladini, Carter’s said it will continue to prioritize innovation and customer engagement to strengthen its connection with families with young children worldwide, according to the Atlanta-based company in a press release.
“After a comprehensive search, we are thrilled to appoint Doug Palladini as CEO of Carter’s,” said William Montgoris, non-executive chairman of the board.
“Doug’s remarkable track record of growing brands, his deep understanding of consumer-driven strategies, and his expertise in creating global brand connections will be invaluable as we continue to build upon Carter’s strong foundation. Under Doug’s leadership, Carter’s will continue to innovate, strengthen our unique, multi-channel business model, and stay true to our mission of providing high-quality, affordable apparel for young children.”
Yohji Yamamoto has revealed plans to stage a residency during Milan Design Week in the city’s most famous boutique, 10 Corso Como.
The residency marks the latest significant presentation by Yamamoto in the boutique, 16 months after a brilliant exhibition of his fashion in the same store, entitled “Letter to the Future.”
Yohji’s residency will run from Tuesday, April 1, to Tuesday, April 22, while Milan Design Week, or the Salone del Mobile Milano, runs from April 1 to 13.
“The poet of black [will] transform the 10 Corso Como pop-up into an immersive experience. The residency, a harmonious blend of art, fashion, and innovation, underscores Yamamoto’s enduring legacy as a pioneer in avant-garde design,” said Yamamoto in a release.
Yohji Yamamoto residency at 10 Corso Como – Courtesy
Built inside the iconic 10 Corso Como cutting-edge space, the brand’s dedicated installation will offer “an intimate exploration of Yamamoto’s signature creations, showcasing a carefully curated selection from his latest Spring/Summer 2025 womenswear, menswear, and Discord collections.”
The collaboration is intended as a celebration of the visionary craftsmanship that has solidified Yohji Yamamoto’s reputation as a global luminary in contemporary fashion, offering a deep dive into the singular world of the designer.
“A place where poetry and radical style converge, it redefines the boundaries of contemporary elegance, celebrating the artistry, craftsmanship, and rebellious spirit that have long distinguished Yohji Yamamoto’s creations,” added the house of Yamamoto.
10 Corso Como is an iconic destination for “Fuorisalone,” the Milanese term for events dotted around the city, highlighting independent ideas during Design Week. It is “the ultimate place to discover the latest trends. For the Salone del Mobile, it transforms itself into a creative hub to offer high-profile insights and entertainment to visitors hungry for the latest in the design scene,” added Yamamoto.
The residency deepens the links between Yohji and Corso Como, which staged a rare retrospective of Yamamoto’s work last June. Curated with smart understatement by Alessio de’ Navasques, that exhibition also marked a new moment in the life of Corso Como after its acquisition by Tiziana Fausti, the noted Bergamo boutique owner.
Featuring a geometric felt origami coat dress dating from Fall/Winter 1996 and a series of looks showcased at Yamamoto’s recent Paris City Hall shows, the exhibition was a must-see fashion statement by a designer from fashion’s pantheon, who made his Paris runway debut four decades ago.
So, expect something very novel in this latest Italo-Japanese tandem.
Foot Locker, Inc. announced on Wednesday that Franklin Bracken, currently executive vice president and chief commercial officer, has been appointed to the role of president, effective immediately.
Foot Locker
Bracken will continue reporting to Mary Dillon, Foot Locker’s chief executive officer.
In his new role, the president will work alongside Dillon on the execution of the firm’s “Lace Up Plan”, aimed to elevate the omni-retail experience, enhance productivity, and create long-term shareholder value. Bracken will also continue to oversee global retail operations, merchandising, marketing, digital, loyalty, and real estate.
With over 30 years of experience in brand management, consulting, digital transformation, marketing, merchandising, and retail operations, Bracken joined Foot Locker in 2010 and has since held several senior leadership roles of increasing responsibility across the company.
Prior to Foot Locker, Bracken held senior management roles at The Coca-Cola Company, SABMiller, and began his career as a management consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
“We are delighted to recognize Frank’s leadership and valuable contributions to Foot Locker, Inc. with this appointment,” said Dillon.
“Over his 15-year tenure, Frank has led several important initiatives across the business, including playing a critical role in the development and execution of our Lace Up Plan, building our brand partnerships, and advancing our omnichannel capabilities. I look forward to continuing to partner with him in his new role as we execute our strategies, further our significant progress in advancing the Lace Up Plan, and create sustained value for our stakeholders.”
Foot Locker is a U.S.-based specialty footwear retailer which today boasts some 2,400 retail stores in 26 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, and a licensed store presence in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
“It’s an honor to be named president as we continue building on the momentum of our Lace Up Plan,” said Bracken. “Looking ahead to the remainder of 2025 and beyond, we are well-positioned to accelerate our progress and deliver on our long-term operational and financial goals as we enter the next phase of execution. We remain committed to expanding sneaker culture and elevating the omnichannel experience for our customers and brand partners, and I’m confident our proven consumer-focused initiatives will further deepen customer engagement, strengthen our market position, and drive meaningful business results.”
In its most recenting trading update earlier this month, Foot Locker announced a fourth-quarter sales drop of 5.8%, in the three months ended February 1.
The company, which operates Foot Locker, Champs Sports, Atmos and WSS, said sales reached $2,243 million, as compared with sales of $2,380 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.