So what's the deal with The Body Shop?

[nic]

Lulu, thanks for those posts, most interesting and informative
I sometimes think that people are just so confused with all these terms like, Fair Trade, Natural, Not tested on Animals Organic etc.. they hear one and think all these terms apply. They need to stop for just a few minutes, read, absorb and hopefully understand.

We recently had a Body Shop open near us (2 hours away) and when we are near them, my DH goes in to stock up.. I spent years telling him how they help little communities all over the world etc and now he is actually taking a little notice of me and finds out what product has what ingredient and where it comes from etc.. then he proudly goes and tells his mum who looks at him like he is some weirdo

[Traveller]

The only reason I will not buy bodyshop items is that Nestle will profit, and I will not do anything consciously that will support Nestle.

The shop itself I have no problem with, but I prefer Lush cosmetics.

[Kitt3n]

Wasn't there a huge scandal years ago where they reportedly DID test on animals?

I know it was ages ago, but that was when I stopped buying it (oh the musk and dewberry perfume, how I loved it!!)

[M22]

i thnk ther was ascandal but for me after working at the head office even though there product repose and line are prettty ethicaletc i still see it as a joke sien ci know how much waste at the head office

[Trillian]

Thanks so much for that Lulu and Suse, I really appreciate that info. that's what I always thought, that they never claimed to be natural, just free from animal testing you're right, if they were 100% natural, then they'd be using real musk etc. I have used their products for years - not a lot because I don't *do* beauty stuff LOL, but I have always admired their humanitarian work.

Traveller, I guess this is the conundrum. They may be, in a round about way, owned by Nestle now, but so long as TBS continues in it's present form and keeps their programs running in the same manner as they were before the takeover, I think the benefits of that far outweigh the fact that they are owned by Nestle. And the ironic thing about that is the same women that TBS helps are probably being targeted by Nestle to use formula but for me personally, I would rather see sustainable communities being built and supported kwim? So I wouldn't stop buying TBS products, because if everyone stopped buying their products, it isn't Nestle you are hurting, it is those communities and sometimes you have to look at the bigger picture.

[Liz]

And the ironic thing about that is the same women that TBS helps are probably being targeted by Nestle to use formula

I wonder how much say Nestle have in this. I wonder if it's a dirty tactic to "buy" an ethical company to keep money coming in even tho it's a conflict of interest. If the campaigns of TBH meet with tremendous success... could they pull the plug on it?

It just seems strange to me. Perhaps it's the old saying of Keep your friends close but your enemies closer...

[Trillian]

Liz, it would not surprise me in the least if something like that was going on. It could certainly be seen as a way of covering their bases.

[Traveller]

I wonder how much say Nestle have in this. I wonder if it's a dirty tactic to "buy" an ethical company to keep money coming in even tho it's a conflict of interest. If the campaigns of TBH meet with tremendous success... could they pull the plug on it?

It just seems strange to me. Perhaps it's the old saying of Keep your friends close but your enemies closer...

This is my suspicion, and the reason that I would prefer my money go to companies or charities who do not have the nestle influence in the background. I distrust them that much.

[Lulu]

Hmm, I dunno. Loreal took them over...and Nestle have 20% share in Loreal yeah? They have their fingers in everything, but with a 20% share is that enough to call the shots.

Aren't Nestle too busy waiting for the next natural disaster so they can air drop formula all over the place? lol

[Lulu]

Nope, they never tested on animals. They test on people.

Some companies get around it by not testing on animals themselves but buying the research on the ingredients - that has been tested on animals which is by and large the same but they can still put the 'not tested on animals' badge on the technicality. TBS may have been caught up in that which is why things changed.
I'd also like to say that any sort of product from paper, pens etc were all sourced from companies with ethical practices as well.

In fact in recent years (I think it was the U.S) were going to change the laws to say that ALL cosmetics had to be tested on animals. TBS fought that strongly and were prepared to shut down all their US shops.

But yeah - what a bunch of nasty paper wasters

[M22]

lulu u crack me up!1 you alwasy seem to understand my crappy typing!! PMSL!! seeriulsy though I remmmber thinking OMG- this isssssssss badd. but cafe food made up for it!!. they way the ran there offices and treateed some staff ugh!!

[Kitt3n]

ah OK, thanks Lulu