The Body Shop has this week filed a notice to appoint administrators for its UK business.

The move comes just months after private equity firm Aurelius announced its takeover of the cosmetics brand as part of a £207 million deal.

The company, which also owns High Street chain Footasylum, bought the retailer after it was put up for sale by Brazil’s Natura in the summer.

The BBC said that sales at The Body Shop during the festive season and across January were understood to be weaker than expected, while it is thought that the company also has insufficient working capital.

The Body Shop, founded by Dame Anita Roddick and her husband Gordon in 1976, has 900 company-owned stores across 20 countries.

In the UK, the company operates over 200 stores, with the call for administrators likely to see a number of closures across its High Street network and an impact on jobs.

Retail Systems has approached The Body Shop for comment.

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