Subject category:
Ethics and Social Responsibility
Published by:
IBS Center for Management Research
Length: 25 pages
Data source: Published sources
Topics:
The Body Shop International PLC; Natural-based and ethically-sourced beauty products; L'Oreal SA; Dame Anita Roddick; Corporate social responsibility (CSR); Greenwashing; Consumerism; Mergers & acquisitions (M&A); Consumer advocacy activism; Environmental management; Beauty care; Animal protection and testing; Community trade product; Product boycott; Business ethics
Abstract
This case is about the issue of sustainability rhetoric and greenwashing. In March 2006, The Body Shop International Plc, a retailer of natural-based and ethically-sourced beauty products, announced that it had agreed to an acquisition by the beauty care giant L'Oreal SA in a cash deal worth GBP652 million (USD1.14 billion). The announcement brought in its wake a spate of criticism against Body Shop and its founder, Dame Anita Roddick. This case discusses the reactions of consumers, activists, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) experts to the acquisition of Body Shop by L'Oreal. The acquisition throws up questions such as: Is Body Shop guilty of greenwashing? Does it have the influence to extend its values to L'Oreal. The case also looks into the issue of whether L'Oreal was trying to improve its own image and to buy CSR through this deal.
Teaching and learning
This item is suitable for postgraduate courses.Time period
The events covered by this case took place in 2002-2006.Geographical setting
Region:
World/global
Countries:
United States; United Kingdom
Featured company
The Body Shop International Plc
Industry:
Beauty care, cosmetics
Featured protagonist
- Anita Roddick (female), Founder
About
Abstract
This case is about the issue of sustainability rhetoric and greenwashing. In March 2006, The Body Shop International Plc, a retailer of natural-based and ethically-sourced beauty products, announced that it had agreed to an acquisition by the beauty care giant L'Oreal SA in a cash deal worth GBP652 million (USD1.14 billion). The announcement brought in its wake a spate of criticism against Body Shop and its founder, Dame Anita Roddick. This case discusses the reactions of consumers, activists, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) experts to the acquisition of Body Shop by L'Oreal. The acquisition throws up questions such as: Is Body Shop guilty of greenwashing? Does it have the influence to extend its values to L'Oreal. The case also looks into the issue of whether L'Oreal was trying to improve its own image and to buy CSR through this deal.
Teaching and learning
This item is suitable for postgraduate courses.Settings
Time period
The events covered by this case took place in 2002-2006.Geographical setting
Region:
World/global
Countries:
United States; United Kingdom
Featured company
The Body Shop International Plc
Industry:
Beauty care, cosmetics
Featured protagonist
- Anita Roddick (female), Founder