Last year, Inside Retail asked Lush co-founder Rowena Bird which of her company’s campaigns she was most proud of. “I like the ones where we get into trouble,” she said. “Because then you know you’ve hit the right spot.”

Lush is a retailer whose windows accommodate fragrant soaps and bath bombs while simultaneously appealing to the public conscience. It’s no surprise then that trouble comes with the territory. The brand’s planned departure from 10 Australian Westfield stores has now invited speculation about how those convictions sit with its choice of landlord. 

In particular, the move has revived discussion of its Gaza campaign last year, with some commentators questioning whether the signage dispute played a part. That connection remains unconfirmed, while the company’s stated ambitions alluded to growth.

A spokesperson told news.com.au the stores will close as leases expire. “We aim to grow our presence across the country by serving local communities in the right locations with the appropriate size and type of store.” Even so, a phased withdrawal inevitably piques interest in what prompted it, where the business will go next, how much space it will need and what sort of customers it endeavours to reach. 

Lush unapologetically wears its convictions on its sleeve. In November 2021, it withdrew globally from Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Snapchat, bringing to focus social media’s risks to mental health, particularly young people. It was a stance reinforced by Facebook whistleblower revelations.

” This masthead reported that Westfield covered campaign signage at the time.

Source link