The Body Shop operates about 100 stores in Australia and is said to be the most profitable international arm of the stricken business. However since the UK parent entered bankruptcy last month, the Australian subsidiary – and others around the world – have become creditors and their access to funds has been cut off.
The Guardian has quoted sources explaining that the money earned by the key overseas businesses during the peak trading period in November and December was paid into a global account, based in the UK – “a practice termed ‘cash pooling’”. As a result, global subsidiaries are struggling to pay suppliers for services rendered during that peak. The cash pooling ceased when the business…
