Lush

How is it social?

The company uses fresh organic fruit and vegetables (though these are not certified as such). It does not test its products on animals or buy from companies that commission tests on animals. Products are hand made and packaging is kept to a minimum. Products are vegetarian (vegan in the case of B). Lush also supports a number of animal and environmental/ conservation charities.

What is its business model?

Lush manufactures and retails a range of fresh-made soaps, hair and scalp treatments.  It now trades in over 42 countries including the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, India and right across Europe. It has over 450 shops (including around 80 in Britain and Ireland) and over 5,000 employees.

In 2003 B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful (referred to as 'B') was launched, and currently has three outlets in England. The aim with 'B' is rapid expansion along the lines of Lush.

Lush engages in partnership deals with suitable investors, giving them the exclusive rights to develop the brand in a designated country. It is also embarking on single store franchising in certain markets. In October 2007, Lush announced plans to open new licensed departments in select Macy's stores in the US and Canada. The company is also looking to build the brand via a series of Lush Spas across the world.

Its history

Mark Constantine and Liz Bennet first began working together in the 1970s when they set up the Herbal Hair & Beauty Clinic in Poole and began making their own cosmetics. In 1978 they sold their first product to the Body Shop and in 1988 they set up Cosmetics to Go, a mail order business for the cosmetic products. With an imperfect business model, Cosmetics to Go went under in the early 1990s, but from the ashes the founders created Lush, a cosmetics shop. In 1995 Lush opened three stores. It now has 450 shops worldwide.

In 2003 Lush set up B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful, a range of vegan cosmetics and toiletries, which now has three outlets across England.

More information