Roddick, Anita (1942–)

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Roddick, Anita (1942–)

English retail entrepreneur. Born Anita Lucia Perella, Oct 23, 1942, in Littlehampton, England; dau. of Italian immigrants; graduate of Bath College of Education; m. Thomas Gordon Roddick, 1970; children: Justine and Samantha Roddick.

Opened her 1st upscale Body Shop to sell cosmetics "stripped of hype" and made from natural materials (1976), ushering in progressive business philosophy of "caring capitalism" and green marketing boom; experienced immediate success and soon began to franchise stores, opening shops throughout UK and eventually worldwide, beginning in Belgium (1978); promoted environmental and human-rights causes; served as managing director of Body Shop until becoming CEO (1994); had over 1,200 stores worldwide in 45 countries; founded Anita Roddick Publications, issuing 1st book, Brave Hearts, Rebel Spirits: A Spiritual Activists Handbook (2003). Made Order of the British Empire (OBE, 1988) and Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE, 2003).

See also autobiography, Business Unusual (Thorsons, 2001).