Lush closes all its UK stores in protest over starvation in Gaza | Retail industry

The cosmetics retailer Lush has closed its UK retailers, factories and web site in protest over hunger in Gaza.A press release appeared on its web site and on posters on store home windows on Wednesday, which learn: “Cease ravenous Gaza, we’re closed in solidarity”, whereas its flagship spa on London’s Oxford Avenue was marked as “briefly closed” on Google Maps.In an interview with LBC radio, the co-founder Mark Constantine mentioned the corporate’s estimated losses on account of the closure could be about £300,000. Whereas providing his help for the choice, he added: “It might be good to have the ability to pay for meals to enter Gaza, somewhat than simply sacrificing [profits].”The assertion launched on the Lush web site asks for patrons’ forgiveness for any inconvenience, however says that “a lot of our clients share the identical nervousness concerning the scenario in Gaza”. It calls on the federal government to convey an finish to “dying and destruction” in addition to cease arms gross sales to Israel. “The UK authorities is shedding a day of tax contributions from Lush,” the assertion notes.In 2024, the UK-founded luxurious cosmetics model produced 102m merchandise and had a turnover of £690m. It operates 869 shops globally, with essentially the most shops within the UK.It says that its Palestine-focussed fundraising product, Watermelon Slice cleaning soap, has been essentially the most profitable single fundraising product in its historical past, with income going in the direction of psychological well being companies for youngsters in Gaza and the West Financial institution.The corporate has beforehand taken stands on different points – it launched a “#Spycops” marketing campaign in 2018 to spotlight abuses by undercover law enforcement officials within the UK, and boycotted some social media apps in 2021, citing their detrimental results on the physique picture for youngsters.Lush has additionally despatched cheques to direct motion local weather campaigning teams, together with RoadBlock and anti-aviation group Clear the Skies. Nevertheless, it opposed the position of a “Boycott Israel” poster on a Dublin retailer shopfront in October 2023, saying it didn’t characterize the Lush ethos that “All Are Welcome. At all times.”A spokesperson for Lush advised the PA information that company employees had been being paid for the closure day.skip previous publication promotionSign as much as Enterprise TodayGet set for the working day – we’ll level you to all of the enterprise information and evaluation you want each morningPrivacy Discover: Newsletters might include details about charities, on-line adverts, and content material funded by outdoors events. In the event you wouldn’t have an account, we are going to create a visitor account for you on theguardian.com to ship you this text. You’ll be able to full full registration at any time. For extra details about how we use your knowledge see our Privateness Coverage. We use Google reCaptcha to guard our web site and the Google Privateness Coverage and Phrases of Service apply.after publication promotionThe prime minister final month mentioned the UK would recognise a Palestinian state later in September until Israel agrees to satisfy sure situations, together with addressing the humanitarian disaster, implementing a ceasefire and reviving the prospect of a two-state resolution.In a press release on the Center East to the Home of Commons on Monday, the overseas secretary, David Lammy, advised MPs Gaza was experiencing a “man-made famine” as Israel’s assist restrictions proceed.