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| Lush may invest abroad due to Brexit | Lush may invest abroad due to Brexit |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| British cosmetics firm Lush says future expansion might have to be outside the UK, due to risks over Brexit. | British cosmetics firm Lush says future expansion might have to be outside the UK, due to risks over Brexit. |
| The company recently opened a plant in Germany and says further expansion of manufacturing and buying operations might have to be abroad. | The company recently opened a plant in Germany and says further expansion of manufacturing and buying operations might have to be abroad. |
| It blamed a "severe" skills shortage in the UK and said that Brexit could potentially make that situation worse by restricting the movement of workers. | It blamed a "severe" skills shortage in the UK and said that Brexit could potentially make that situation worse by restricting the movement of workers. |
| Lush said 20% of its UK workforce are not UK citizens. | Lush said 20% of its UK workforce are not UK citizens. |
| European members of staff "felt unwelcome and understandably upset" by the vote in favour of Brexit, Lush said in comments accompanying its latest trading statement. | European members of staff "felt unwelcome and understandably upset" by the vote in favour of Brexit, Lush said in comments accompanying its latest trading statement. |
| Staff that wanted to leave the UK have been offered jobs at its operations in Germany, and 80 have taken up that offer. | |
| 'Reviewing options' | 'Reviewing options' |
| The company, which is known for its fizzing bath bombs and soap said: "Lush has flourished from the freedom of movement of people and goods, and now we face uncertainty in both of these areas. | The company, which is known for its fizzing bath bombs and soap said: "Lush has flourished from the freedom of movement of people and goods, and now we face uncertainty in both of these areas. |
| "The negotiation of new trade agreements could take years, but the risk is that we will be paying more import duties across the business. | "The negotiation of new trade agreements could take years, but the risk is that we will be paying more import duties across the business. |
| "Having opened our new Germany manufacturing facility during the year we will be reviewing other options for growth outside of the UK." | "Having opened our new Germany manufacturing facility during the year we will be reviewing other options for growth outside of the UK." |
| Lush has 931 stores in 49 countries, with manufacturing facilities in 7 countries. | Lush has 931 stores in 49 countries, with manufacturing facilities in 7 countries. |
| The Lush plant in Poole, Dorset currently supplies 20 countries. | The Lush plant in Poole, Dorset currently supplies 20 countries. |
| In its financial year, which ended 30 June, Lush reported sales of £723m, up 26% on the previous year. Pre-tax profit was £43.2m, a 76% jump. | In its financial year, which ended 30 June, Lush reported sales of £723m, up 26% on the previous year. Pre-tax profit was £43.2m, a 76% jump. |
| Last year the company donated more than £10m to charities and other good causes. | Last year the company donated more than £10m to charities and other good causes. |
| The company's current financial year got off to a strong start. Sales in the six months to 31 December were up 22%. | The company's current financial year got off to a strong start. Sales in the six months to 31 December were up 22%. |