Revitalised Body Shop targets US for expansion

The Body Shop, the cosmetics business with a conscience, yesterday reported it was continuing to get back into shape with plans to revamp UK stores and expand in America.

The Body Shop, the cosmetics business with a conscience, yesterday reported it was continuing to get back into shape with plans to revamp UK stores and expand in America.

The retailer, which was set-up by Anita Roddick, said it would redesign a total of 15 stores in Europe before Christmas, some of which would be in Britain.

The group also said it would expand aggressively in the US. Patrick Gournay, chief executive, said: "The US market is a huge possibility for us and we intend to open more stores there."

Mr Gournay said the chain's 290 American stores had outperformed expectations. Body Shop Direct, the home-buying arm, will also be launched in America and Mexico next year.

The announcements came as the retailer reported an 18 per cent upturn in turnover for the six months to 26 August, with new products accounting for 37 per cent of sales.

Mr Gournay predicted that pre-tax profit, which was unchanged for the half year at £6.8m, would be up for the full year, after the traditionally strong Christmas period.

Body Shop shares closed up 0.5p at 99p.