Lush Cosmetics in centre:mk closed its doors last week - a one-day closure to show solidarity with Gaza.
The company chose to halt business-as-usual by shutting all of its stores, website and factories across the UK for the day, displaying the message STOP STARVING GAZA – WE ARE CLOSED IN SOLIDARITY.
In a statement explaining the move, the company said: '...We share the anguish that millions of people feel seeing the images of starving people in Gaza, Palestine. 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. One thing Lush can currently send into Gaza is our love and a strong message that we stand in solidarity.'
The company apologized for any inconvenience to its customers, but said, 'We know that many of our customers share the same anxiety about the current situation in Gaza.'
The statement continued: 'Whilst Lush is losing a day of takings, this also means that the UK Government is losing a day of tax contributions from Lush and our customers. We hope they too hear the message our closure sends, with more Government action needed to bring an immediate stop to the death and destruction, including an end to arms sales from the UK.'
Victoria Parry, trainee manager at Lush Milton Keynes, said the reaction to the move in the new city was a positive one: “We have had a nice response in our community, and we're pleased that it has had such a good impact.”
Victoria said that purchases of the brand's fundraising soap, Watermelon Slice, have been plentiful, too.
The soap has been the most successful single issue fundraising product in the history of the company, with proceeds going to medical funds – including charities that will provide prosthetic limb services - to adults and children injured in Gaza.
