Lush Cosmetics Closes UK Operations "in Solidarity with Gaza"
Lush Cosmetics closes all UK operations for a day, "sacrificing" profits and tax revenue to protest the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The emotional action aims to pressure the UK government to act, turning a day of business into a protest.
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Today the British cosmetics retailer Lush made headlines by shutting down all its operations in the United Kingdom for a full day as a form of protest against the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This included closing over 100 physical stores, factories, and its UK website, with prominent signs and messages reading "STOP STARVING GAZA – WE ARE CLOSED IN SOLIDARITY." The company described the action as a deliberate halt to "business-as-usual" to draw attention to what it perceives as Israel's prevention of urgent humanitarian aid into Gaza, amid ongoing conflict and reports of starvation.
In an official company statement released on their website, Lush explained that the closure was an "act of solidarity with the people of Gaza", emphasizing the "anguish" over the situation where aid access is allegedly being blocked. They highlighted that while the move would result in lost earnings for the company, it would also deprive the UK government of a day's worth of tax contributions, aiming to pressure officials to reconsider policies such as arms sales to Israel. Lush acknowledged the inconvenience to customers but noted that many share concerns about the crisis. The website was redirected to a black screen or a page in the colors of the Palestinian flag displaying the protest message, effectively blocking all online sales for the day.
This isn't Lush's first foray into "activism"; the brand has a history of ethical campaigns, including support for animal rights, environmental causes, and human rights issues. However, this specific action appears to be one of their most disruptive to date, directly impacting their UK-based operations while leaving international sites unaffected.
The closure quickly garnered widespread media attention. Outlets like the Daily Mail reported on the shutdown, noting the company's decision to close shops and factories without prior warning to staff or customers. Yahoo Finance described it as a "show of solidarity," emphasizing the full-day halt across all UK locations. Middle East Eye highlighted the retailer's hope that the tax revenue loss would influence UK policy on arms exports. Other sources, such as The Telegraph, Metro, and Dawn, echoed the details, with some framing it as a protest against "Israel's starvation of Gaza."
On social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), the news spread rapidly with users sharing photos and videos of closed stores. For instance, one post from Anadolu English included a video of shop windows displaying the message, garnering likes and reposts. Activist accounts like Quds News Network and Eye on Palestine amplified the story, praising Lush for its stance and noting the use of Palestinian flag colors on the website. Users received thousands of engagements for highlighting the scale of the closure, calling it a stand against "ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza." Positive reactions included comments on the "refreshing" ethics of the business, with one Glasgow-based video showing a store's signage. French-language posts, like one from @BMoon_bee, translated the action as a "strong strike" and shared a video for international audiences.
Some coverage extended to international outlets, such as Anadolu Agency and Al Jazeera, which linked the protest to broader European responses to the Gaza conflict. Social media influencers and organizations, including Al-Azhar Observatory and Voice of Freedom, reposted images and details, emphasizing the symbolic deprivation of tax revenue to the UK government.
Lush's protest aligns with growing corporate and public activism in the UK, where pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been prominent. The company has not announced plans for similar actions in other countries, but the UK-focused shutdown underscores their domestic market's significance—Lush employs thousands in the region and generates substantial revenue there.
The closure is set to end at midnight, with operations resuming tomorrow (Thursday). This event represents a bold escalation in corporate solidarity movements, potentially inspiring other businesses to take similar stands on global issues.