According to national press reports, Next has been in preliminary talks with The Body Shop administrators FRP. However, it seems that the IP and brand are not to form part of any deal struck, and this has put an end to any interest from Next.
Given that FRP will be unable to move on any serious commercial sale, including the brand and IP rights to a party other than one controlled by Aurelius, whilst within the law as it stands, it does not seem as though a sale to a third party is expected or desired.
The very swift closure of stores and issuing of employee redundancy notices, the costs of which Aurelius has avoided via the administration process, are also within the law, but the ethics involved will do untold damage to the brand going forward.
All somewhat ironic given the ethical trading stance The Body Shop brand had been renowned for.
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