Anita Roddick RIP

The Grumpy Vegan never had an opportunity to meet Anita Roddick but The Body Shop has always been present in my animal rights work. I recall when I lived in Brighton in 1979-1980 reading in the window of one of the original stores (if not the original) their policy against animal testing. Roddick and The Body Shop is a big reason why the testing of cosmetics on animals in Britain is illegal. As Body Shop’s international presence grew so did its influence in the European Union and throughout the world on animal testing. It’s always easy to find fault, including with The Body Shop. But one thing cannot be denied. Roddick was a business pioneer who challenged successfully the traditional business world. And that’s a good thing.