New format for The Body Shop

The Body Shop head of design Jon Turner has confirmed the chain will open two new-format stores in London next month.

Situated in Carnaby Street and Kensington, the stores will use a format designed in-house, says Turner. A wide glass frontage is planned, topped by individually illuminated 3D letters on a powder-coated metal shopfront. It is thought that new interiors will be introduced. Shopfitters are currently working on-site.

The Carnaby Street store is likely to be within walking distance of the first store in the Virgin Vie chain (DW 27 June), which, it is believed, will be on nearby Oxford Street.

The Body Shop had itself been trialing a format on Oxford Street since last year. In February the group denied that this format was proving unsatisfactory (DW 14 February). It would now appear to have been abandoned – the group has also submitted planning applications to change the facia of that store.