High street health and beauty chain Bodycare has announced the closure of 32 of its UK stores, after rising costs and funding challenges pushed the business into administration.

The retailer, which operates 147 stores nationwide, had been facing significant financial pressures. A potential rescue deal failed to materialise, leading to the appointment of administrators from advisory firm Interpath, who are now exploring a sale of the business and its assets.

Bodycare said it had been hit by mounting costs, a delayed transition from its online retail platform, and the continuing effects of the cost-of-living crisis on customer spending. The company was also left with a funding shortfall following the cancellation of a planned stock market listing last year.

The closures will affect branches across England, Scotland and Wales, including sites in Croydon, Edinburgh, Maidstone, Newport, Perth, Scunthorpe, West Bromwich and Wrexham.

Nick Holloway, joint administrator and managing director at Interpath, said:
“These remain challenging times for high street retailers as rising costs and reduced consumer spending continue to weigh heavily on trading. Unfortunately for Bodycare, which was also contending with a significant funding gap and increasing creditor pressure, these challenges proved too difficult to overcome.”

The health and beauty sector has seen mixed fortunes in recent years. While discount operators and online platforms have gained market share, traditional high street retailers continue to grapple with reduced footfall, inflationary pressures and shifting consumer habits.

For Bodycare, which built its reputation on offering affordable beauty and personal care products, the combination of increased operating costs and tighter household budgets proved insurmountable. The future of the brand and its remaining stores now rests on whether a buyer can be secured in the coming weeks.

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