Lush shuts all UK stores to protest Israeli genocide in Gaza
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Lush takes a principled stand for Gaza, sacrificing profits to demand UK government action and raise awareness about the Israeli siege's humanitarian toll.
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Cosmetics retailer Lush displays banners reading: ‘Stop starving Gaza’ and ‘We are closed in solidarity.’ (X)
Cosmetics retailer Lush has temporarily shut all of its more than 100 UK shops, as well as its factories and website, in a symbolic protest over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Online visitors were instead met with a page in Palestinian flag colours bearing the message: “Stop starving Gaza. We are closed in solidarity.”
The company said the move was aimed at pressuring the UK government to take stronger action by depriving it of a day’s worth of tax revenue.
“Across the Lush business we share the anguish that millions of people feel seeing the images of starving people in Gaza,” the firm stated. “Like the rest of the world, we struggle to find ways we can help whilst the Israeli government is preventing urgent humanitarian assistance from entering Gaza.”
LUSH cosmetics has closed their stores today across the UK in solidarity with the people of Palestine. #StopStarvingGaza pic.twitter.com/vd4FPa4Ch2
— david bowies PR manager (@bowiefairy) September 3, 2025
Fundraising product relaunched to support medical aid for Gaza victims
Lush acknowledged that while the closure might inconvenience customers, many shared its concerns. It also highlighted the success of its fundraising soap, Watermelon Slice, which will now return, with proceeds directed toward medical aid, including prosthetic services, for those injured in Gaza.
Founded in the UK in 1994 and now operating in more than 50 countries, the company noted that while the shutdown applies only to its UK business, it expects similar demonstrations of solidarity in other markets.
In its statement, Lush urged the government to halt arms sales to "Israel" and take immediate steps to end the bloodshed.
“Whilst Lush is losing a day of takings, this also means the UK Government is losing a day of tax contributions. We hope they, too, hear the message our closure sends,” the firm said.
