The Body Shop reopened at Richmond Mall, pictures, in November 2025, following the collapse of its previous New Zealand operator. Photo / Supplied
“It’s a great brand, it’s got an amazing following, a really strong legacy, but you’ve still got to get a brand moving and that takes a lot of time and energy.
“We’ve got a fabulous team but it has taken all of their efforts, and all of our efforts, every penny we’ve got.”
The couple launched a new online operation last October, followed by their first physical store at Richmond Mall, near Nelson, in November.
Wyman said the Richmond store had been trading well, but the move into Christchurch represented a significant step up.
“Getting into a property like [Riccarton] is great for us, great for visibility, great for trade.”
The previous New Zealand business entered voluntary administration in January 2025 after financial difficulties at its British parent company.
Creditors subsequently voted to place the local operation into liquidation, with reported liabilities of about $12m.
Wyman said the previous collapse had damaged the brand’s reputation, but its loyal customer base had given the couple confidence to invest in its revival.
“The brand is strong, the brand is loved.”
“We still have people running across the mall saying, ‘I can’t believe you’re back’.”
He said the company was now eyeing further expansion, with Auckland a likely next destination, with other regional centres.
“We’ve obviously got all the main centres in the crosshairs.”
“We were looking to probably grow one a year, maybe 2 a year over the next 3 or 4 and then just see where we are.”
Despite the growth of online shopping, Wyman believed physical stores remained essential for beauty retailers because customers wanted to experience products before buying them.
“It’s very difficult to communicate how something smells and feels in a blog post or a social media or anything like that.”
The Christchurch opening comes before the busy Christmas trading period, with Wyman expecting the store to employ between 10 and 14 people, including casual staff.
He said recruitment had already attracted strong interest: “There was quite an avalanche of respondents.”
The new Riccarton store was still undergoing its fit-out, including a large mural by a local artist.
Wyman said one of the biggest challenges was making customers aware that the retailer had returned.
“Everyone knows that we’re closed, but it’s harder to get them to know that we’re open.”
The Body Shop, founded in Britain by Dame Anita Roddick in 1976, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
Ben Tomsett is a journalist based in Dunedin. He joined the Herald in 2023.