British cosmetics retailer Lush reopens Hull store after it is hit by ’shocking and heartbreaking’ racist rioting

Lush has reopened its store in Hull after it was vandalised and looted during rioting last weekend.

The city centre store suffered smashed front windows and products were stolen and left in the street as rioters carried out violent, racist attacks across several British cities and towns, one week on from the Southport stabbings.

In a LinkedIn post, dated 7th August, Kasey Swithenbank, Head of the UK&I Retail at Lush, said: “On Saturday evening I watched, live on social media, our Hull shop get broken into and looted. The scenes were shocking and heartbreaking!”

“Thankfully, the team had received advice earlier on the day to close the shop early and so thankfully all staff were safe at home.. I’ve spent the last few days with the team in Hull supporting where I can with the clean up and I’m beyond proud to say that we opened at 9am this morning.”

She added: “I want to thank Ben the shop manager and the whole team in Hull as well as staff from other local shops who came together under difficult circumstances to get the shop re-opened as quickly as we could.”

“To our manufacturing teams, who are made up of individuals from over 30 different countries, thank you for turning that stock replenishment order around in 24 hours.”

“To Ellen Peters and Rebecca Meara our property and maintenance managers, thank you for reacting so quickly, ensuring the building was secured, safe for use and organising the repairs to which there are many.”

“Bethan Watts from my team who also just so happens to be a visual merchandiser queen, thank you for jumping on a train to help us get the shop looking the best it can for our team in Hull and our community members.”

She concluded: “And to our Hull community, the biggest of thank yous to you all for your well wishes and gifts you have dropped in over the last three days. We promise to continue to lift your spirits in the days and weeks ahead.”

2024 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Physical stores are a key focus area for the sixth edition of the RTIH Innovation Awards, which is now open for entries.

The awards, sponsored by CADS, 3D Cloud, and Retail Technology Show 2025, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

It’s free to enter and you can do so across multiple categories.

Key 2024 dates

Friday, 25th October: Award entry deadline 

Tuesday, 29th October: 2024 shortlist revealed

30th October-6th November: Judging days

Thursday, 21st November: Winners announced at the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards ceremony, to be held at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London.