The Body Shop administrators said the brand will retain half of its 198 UK stores.

The first seven stores closed yesterday (February 20), with more expected to follow, as reported by Retail Gazette.

A Bristol store was among the first to shut down, along with four branches in London, one in Kent and one in Nuneaton.

It's not yet known whether The Body Shop's stores in Cheltenham, Gloucester and Cirencester are up for the chop.

The beauty chain will also cut around 40% of head office staff.

Administrators FRP, which were appointed last week, said The Body Shop's current store portfolio mix is no longer viable.

By cutting the number of stores and renewing focus on products and online sales channel, FRP said the brand can return to financial stability.

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