If you’ve been searching for The Body Shop NZ products, you’re likely familiar with the brand’s reputation for natural, ethical beauty. With skincare, body care, fragrance and bath essentials, The Body Shop has long been a go-to for those seeking cruelty-free, nature-inspired products. In New Zealand, however, the journey of The Body Shop has had recent developments that shoppers and fans should be aware of. Whether you are in Auckland, Wellington or smaller towns, here’s a complete guide to The Body Shop NZ and how to shop online via Kess.
The Body Shop: Brand Values & Global Footprint
Since its founding in 1976 by Anita Roddick, The Body Shop has stood for ethical beauty — ingredients sourced fairly, no animal testing, and a strong voice in environmental and social activism. These values continue to define the brand’s identity, including in New Zealand. The Body Shop offers a wide selection of skincare, bath & body, hair care, fragrance and gift items.
Globally, the company has gone through several ownership changes: after being acquired by L’Oréal in 2006, it became part of Natura in 2017, and more recently, in 2023-2024, The Body Shop was acquired by Aurelius before being rescued by a consortium called Auréa Group.
The Body Shop NZ: Status & What’s Changed
In New Zealand, The Body Shop NZ has been placed into voluntary administration as of January 2025. This means:
- The loyalty programme was discontinued, and existing loyalty points are void.
- Gift cards can still be used, but only in-store and not for purchases made entirely with gift card balance. Some balance of real money must be used.
- Retail stores (16 stores across NZ) remained open for a period during the administration, with around 70 permanent employees.
- The business is operating sales and clearance events to move stock as administrators explore options.
These changes affect how people buy The Body Shop products in NZ—both in-store and for how online orders or loyalty rewards might work.
Shopping The Body Shop NZ via Kess
Given the challenges and recent status of The Body Shop NZ’s operations, many shoppers are turning to online alternatives. One legitimate option is to shop via curated sellers or retailers that stock The Body Shop collections. For example, the link you provided, Kess – The Body Shop Collection, offers a range of authentic The Body Shop products. This is a good route to consider if:
- You want to buy now without depending on The Body Shop’s own stores or site in NZ.
- You desire access to current popular ranges: skincare, body butters, shower gels etc., with local shipping and pricing.
- You want better clarity on warranties, returns etc., since third-party sellers may have different policies.
Before you order, check that the stock is genuine, that pricing is transparent (incl. shipping, customs/tax if applicable), and whether the website provides sufficient product information (ingredients, batch codes etc.). Since The Body Shop prides itself on ethical and natural ingredients, authenticity matters.
Why The Body Shop Remains Relevant
Despite financial setbacks in NZ and elsewhere, The Body Shop continues to have strong appeal for many reasons:
- Ethics & Transparency – People are increasingly caring about where their skincare comes from, how ingredients are sourced, whether animal testing is involved. The Body Shop was an early pioneer in this space.
- Product Variety – There’s something for many skin types and needs: moisturisers, body butters, hair care, scent ranges. Everyone can often find something that works for them.
- Environmental and Social Commitments – Community Fair Trade; efforts around refill, reduced packaging etc. These values are central to the brand’s identity.
What to Watch Out For & Tips
- Because of the voluntary administration status of The Body Shop NZ, loyalty programmes and certain redemption options may no longer apply. Always check current terms.
- Prices online via third-party sellers may include markups; compare them carefully.
- Shipping times and availability: some ranges may be out of stock or delayed.
- Authenticity: check that the retailer is trustworthy; ask for genuine batch codes to avoid counterfeit products.
Conclusion
If you’re in New Zealand and looking for The Body Shop NZ products, you’re navigating a period of transition. While the formal retail arm of The Body Shop in NZ is under administration and has paused certain activities (like its loyalty programme), authentic stock is still available through trusted retailers like Kess — via the The Body Shop collection on Kess.
For now, shopping smart means verifying authenticity, reading policies, and buying what’s truly needed rather than relying on deferred perks. If The Body Shop’s heritage of ethical beauty and natural ingredients matters to you, it remains a brand worth watching and purchasing from — as long as you stay informed.
