The Body Shop expands footprint with new store at One Galle Face Mall

From left: The Body Shop Sri Lanka Director Kosala Rohana Wickramanayake, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka  Andrew Patrick, Quest Retail Executive Chairperson  Shriti Malhotra, The Body Shop South Asia Chief Revenue Officer Vishal Chaturvedi, Softlogic CEO Terry O’Connor and One Galle Face General Manager Sachin Dhanawade

From left: One Galle Face General Manager Sachin Dhanawade, The Body Shop South Asia Chief Revenue Officer Vishal Chaturvedi, Quest Retail Executive 

Chairperson Shriti Malhotra, British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick, The Body Shop Sri Lanka Director Kosala Rohana Wickramanayake and Softlogic CEO Terry O’Connor

• A unique festive scent collection for Christmas has been launched
• New Create-Your-Own boxes option allows for customised gifting experience
• Exclusive member offers and discounts are available at the new store

By Safna Malik 

The Body Shop marked its 10th anniversary in Sri Lanka by opening its new boutique at One Galle Face (OGF) Mall. The UK-based personal care brand has entered the city’s premier shopping destination, becoming a key feature in the mall’s line-up of global brands.

This new outlet marks the brand’s sixth physical presence in the country, a significant milestone that highlights The Body Shop’s strong and continuous commitment to future growth.

The grand opening saw attendance from foreign officials of The Body Shop South Asia and Quest Retail, alongside many customers.

Speaking at the official opening of The Body Shop outlet at OGF Mall, the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Andrew Patrick commented on the store’s opening as a reflection of growing UK-Sri Lanka business ties.

The Body Shop Sri Lanka Director Kosala Rohana Wickramanayake highlighted the significance of the new launch. He called the immersive shopping experience a celebration of the brand’s decade-long presence, marking a “new chapter of authentic, purposeful beauty” for Sri Lankan consumers. He emphasised that customers are now able to preview the festive season’s new collections while still having full access to the brand’s iconic classics.

The Body Shop Sri Lanka Marketing and Training Manager Thilini Lelwala explained the ethical roots of the brand. She stated that The Body Shop is a UK-based global cosmetics and skincare brand, founded in 1976 by Anita Roddick is famous for having a long history of activism and campaigning for social and environmental causes.

She said The Body Shop’s purpose is much bigger than just selling products. The brand is committed to sustainability and the pioneering use of Community Fair Trade practices and initiatives like “Return, Repeat, and Recycle” program.

Explaining about the community program, she added that they source original, handpicked ingredients directly from farmers, ensuring a fair price that recognises and adds value to their contribution. This partnership helps farmers develop their rural areas and address community needs. The brand is involved in many CSR activities globally and aims to expand these efforts in Sri Lanka as well.

Lelwala also highlighted the brand’s commitment to sustainability through its innovative “Return, Recycle, Repeat” program. She explained that customers can bring back their empty plastic tubs and bottles to The Body Shop outlets. These empties are then collected and processed by the brand through a dedicated recycling or repurposing stream. The program’s core aim is to reduce packaging waste, keep plastic in circulation, and prevent empties from going to landfills. This approach reinforces the brand’s dedication to protecting the environment and managing waste responsibly.

The Body Shop’s products are renowned for being vegan and 100% vegetarian across the entire range. Lelwala confirmed that the brand promotes cruelty-free beauty, with formulas made from more than 90% natural-origin ingredients, while focusing on traceable sources and environmentally responsible packaging. Lelwala noted that this commitment is the main reason the brand maintains its strong, loyal customer base.

Lelwala confirmed that The Body Shop offers a wide selection of Body, Skin, and Wellness products across key categories, including Skincare, Bath and Body, Fragrance, Makeup, Haircare, and Men’s care. She noted that in recent years, the brand has become a popular destination for natural, ethically produced gifts featuring sustainable packaging. The company is actively looking forward to continued expansion in the market.

This year, The Body Shop is positioning itself as the ultimate Gifting destination for the upcoming holiday season. They have introduced a special preview of three unique scents for their 2025 festive ranges: Caramel Cuddle, Cranberry Crush, and Sugarplum Passion. Each of these festive “flavours” includes its own dedicated line of products, such as Bath and Shower Gel, Body Butter, Body Yoghurt, Hand Balm, and Body Mist.

To offer a personal touch in gifting, the brand added a new option by featuring Create-Your-Own boxes. This allows customers to build thoughtful gift sets, perfectly tailored to the recipient.

The new outlet invites customers to explore their new range of festive drops and the brand’s signature hero products. Enjoy exclusive member offers across popular lines, including Bath and Body, Skincare, Haircare, and Fragrance products.