How ethical is the body shop and which stakeholder
benefit the most and who are neglected?
A ‘good’ business is deemed to be one which acts in a socially responsible
way, and takes ethical decisions and actions at all times. Business ethics are moral
principles and judgments which lead to choosing right decision at right time and drives
towards the welfare of not only business owners but also its stakeholders. The body shop
is one of the most recognizable brands in the world, having more than 2500 outlets over
60 countries and selling wonderful natural ingredient and ethically produced beauty
products (the body shop value report, 2009).
The Body Shop has successfully established an image of being a caring
company that has its own set of values and concerns for the environment. Their values
are fundamentally based on their mission statement that they will operate with a strong
commitment to the welfare of the humans and preservation of our planet. The company is
totally against animal testing in cosmetic purpose. They have never tested their products
on animals and refuse to buy any ingredient from suppliers that have been tested on
animals. They source responsibly through ethical community trade which in turn benefits
their supplier to create stable and better future. Apart from that it wants to activate self–
esteem of their customers, Staff and suppliers by promoting diversity, empowerment and
well-being. They want everybody to feel good about themselves. The body shop is
