October 31, (THEWILL) — The Body Shop, the globally renowned ethical beauty brand, has officially opened its first outlet in Lagos, Nigeria, as part of its ongoing expansion across West Africa. The new store, located at the Ikeja City Mall, follows the successful debut of its Abuja branch and the launch of its national e-commerce platform earlier this year.
The Lagos opening, held on Friday, October 24, 2025, marks another major milestone in the brand’s African growth strategy, aimed at deepening its footprint in high-potential markets across the region.
According to the company, the new outlet has brought the number of jobs created by The Body Shop in Nigeria to over 20. The store features the brand’s complete range of products — from its popular Spa of the World collection to its much-loved skincare and body care lines enriched with Community Fair Trade ingredients such as Shea, Tea Tree, and Aloe.
The Lagos store offers an immersive shopping experience that places the customer at the centre. Visitors are welcomed through the brand’s signature dark-green façade into a space designed to celebrate natural beauty and self-confidence. Trained beauty consultants are available to provide expert skincare advice and complimentary hand massages at the in-store treatment sink.
Speaking during the official launch ceremony hosted at his residence, the British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Mr Jonny Baxter, described the expansion as “a powerful symbol of the deepening UK-Nigeria trade relationship.”
He noted that bilateral trade between both countries has now reached £7.9 billion, making Nigeria the United Kingdom’s second-largest trading partner in Africa and its leading export market on the continent.
“The Body Shop’s arrival in Lagos is more than a business expansion. It represents a partnership rooted in shared values and sustainable growth. We are proud that this franchise is led by Shalom Lloyd MBE, a remarkable British-Nigerian entrepreneur whose work in skincare, healthcare, and women’s empowerment embodies the spirit of collaboration and innovation we seek to foster between the UK and Nigeria”, Baxter said.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman of The Body Shop, Mr Mike Jatania, said the Lagos opening aligns with the brand’s global growth plan and underscores the importance of West Africa to its future strategy.
“Expanding into Lagos marks another step in The Body Shop’s global growth strategy. As we accelerate our presence across high-potential markets, West Africa plays an important role in shaping the future of our business. Lagos, as a dynamic commercial hub, allows us to connect with a new generation of consumers who share our belief that beauty can be a force for good”, he stated.
Also speaking, Mrs Shalom Ijeoma Lloyd, MBE, the General Manager of The Body Shop Nigeria, expressed excitement about the brand’s expansion to Lagos, describing it as a significant moment for both the company and Nigeria’s retail landscape.
“This is not just about opening a store; it is about creating opportunities, strengthening trade ties, and showing what happens when values-driven business meets one of the most vibrant cities on earth”, she said.
The Body Shop’s relationship with Africa dates back several decades, rooted in the vision of its founder, Dame Anita Roddick. The brand has built enduring partnerships through its Community Fair Trade programme, sourcing key natural ingredients from across the continent. These include tea tree oil from smallholder farmers near Mount Kenya, shea butter handcrafted by women’s cooperatives in northern Ghana, and moringa seed oil cultivated by local harvesters in Rwanda’s eastern provinces.
Through such partnerships, The Body Shop continues to promote fair and sustainable trade, empower women, and support rural livelihoods in Africa and beyond.
Founded in 1976 in Brighton, England, The Body Shop has grown into one of the world’s most trusted ethical beauty brands, offering a wide range of skincare, body care, hair care, and makeup products made with natural and fair-trade ingredients. Its global mission remains centred on combining beauty with activism — proving that business can indeed be a force for good.
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
