Cosmetics retailer Lush has taken a bold stand by closing all its UK stores on Wednesday and all Irish stores today in protest against the ongoing starvation crisis in Gaza.
The move, which reportedly cost the company more than €300,000 in revenue, was accompanied by a clear message displayed on shop windows and its website: 'Stop starving Gaza, we are closed in solidarity.'
Lush has four stores in Ireland, one in Cork and three in Dublin and the beauty company has a history of taking strong stances on social and political issues.
Its Watermelon Slice soap, a fundraising product supporting mental health services for children in Gaza and the West Bank, has become the brand’s most successful charity initiative to date.
In a statement the company said '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. This will take the form of halting business-as-usual by shutting our shops, website, and factories for one day.'
While the closure inconvenienced customers, Lush assured that all staff were paid for the day.
