Lush left Brazil twice — the second time with 129 jobs and a factory gone

Lush, the British cosmetics company known for its ethically sourced handmade products, first entered Brazil in 1999 but exited within a few years due to logistical challenges. In 2014 it returned with an ambitious push: 30 stores across the country and a dedicated factory in Bom Jesus dos Perdões, São Paulo state, to produce locally and avoid Brazil's steep import duties.

The second attempt fared no better. Despite growing sales, Lush could not turn a profit in Brazil. The country's complex tax system, prolonged economic recession, and political instability made operating conditions hostile for a foreign brand competing against entrenched local players like Natura and O Boticário.

On 16 May 2018, Lush announced it would close all operations in Brazil. The five remaining stores and the factory shut down by 20 June 2018. A total of 129 employees lost their jobs — 85 in stores and e-commerce, 44 at the factory. The company liquidated inventory with 50% discounts and donated R$127,000 from its Charity Pot programme to local NGOs before leaving.