The Body Shop launches into cyberspace; World Wide Web sites like The Body Shop's will likely change how companies relate to their constituencies, founder Anita Roddick predicts

Business Wire, April 25, 1995

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 25, 1995--The Body Shop, an international manufacturer and retailer of innovative skin, hair and color cosmetic products, today unveiled its newly-created site on the World Wide Web, the global multi-media Internet computer network.

The Body Shop Home Page will be the company's main tool to communicate with those in cyberspace, today's increasingly popular world of "virtual" communities. The Internet and the World Wide Web -- which integrate text, graphic design, audio and video -- have exploded in popularity, with 39 million users, up dramatically from under 5 million just five years ago.

Web users can navigate to The Body Shop Home Page (http://www.the-body-shop.com) using an easy, point-and-click interface. Once there, participants can learn about the values of The Body Shop, how it has redefined conventional business, and narrowed the gap between profits and principles.

Most importantly, The Body Shop Home Page will be used to discuss and pursue social and environmental change. "We want to share our ideas and values with people on the Web and tell our stories," said company founder Anita Roddick. "We've always used stories -- about our products, our passions, our campaigns and commitments -- to get conversations going with our customers. This web site is yet another vehicle for people around the world to learn about the causes we stand up for and our current campaigns."

Among the initial issues being addressed on the Home Page are the company's campaigns on violence against women, endangered species and human rights issues.

The Body Shop unveiled its Home Page today in both London and New York City. Participants in New York gathered at the just-opened Internet Cafe, the city's first social venue specifically dedicated to the hot new medium.

The World Wide Web testifies to a profound change in worldwide business. With the technology, huge corporations with thousands of customers can, for the first time since they were start-ups, communicate intimately with all their constituencies, from customers to investors, to their communities, to vendors, partners and employees.

"Technology has brought companies closer to their customers," said Janet Swaysland, vice president of communications for The Body Shop. "And today, customers are demanding more from that access. Companies must be able to listen, and communicate who and what they are to an increasingly enlightened, accessible constituency."

The Body Shop is an international manufacturer and retailer of innovative, high quality hair, skin and color cosmetic products, trading in over 1,200 stores in 45 countries.

CONTACT: The Body Shop, New York

Janet Swaysland, 919/554-4900

jsways@nando.net

or

Mullen Public Relations, South Hamilton, Mass.

Robert Minicucci, 508/468-1155

rminicucci@mullen.com

or

Ericka Schutz, 508/468-1155

eschutz@mullen.com