Why did Lush shut every UK shop and website in one day?

Lush closed all UK shops and its website for a day, urging action over starvation in Gaza and arms sales to Israel.

Cosmetics retailer Lush has taken an extraordinary step by closing every one of its UK shops, factories and its online store for a full day in protest against what it described as Israel’s role in creating starvation in Gaza. The bold move was announced on the company’s website, which displayed a stark black screen reading “stop starving Gaza” alongside the message “closed in solidarity.” Posters carrying the same slogan also appeared in the windows of every Lush store.

The company said the closure, which resulted in a complete loss of daily takings, was intended to send a message not just to customers but to the UK government. Lush urged British leaders to push for an end to arms sales to Israel and to take action to stop the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “This is not an easy decision, but we know many of our customers share the same anxiety about Gaza,” the statement explained, adding that the government would also lose a day of tax contributions from the chain.

According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, nearly half a million people in Gaza are suffering from famine, a crisis the group described as entirely man-made. The report warned that starvation is spreading rapidly across the region. Israel has strongly rejected those claims, calling them lies, and has placed blame on Hamas and aid agencies.

Despite the backlash such a stance might provoke, Lush insisted that solidarity outweighed the commercial loss. The company is also preparing for similar closures in other countries where it operates, signalling that this will not be a one-off gesture.

The United Nations has previously stated that Israel, under international humanitarian law, is obliged to allow food and medical supplies into Gaza. Israel, however, has repeatedly denied restricting aid and disputed casualty and malnutrition figures released by Gaza’s health ministry.

Lush, best known for its colourful bath bombs and handmade soaps, operates in more than 50 countries with over 100 stores across the UK and Ireland. By taking this step, it has become one of the most prominent global brands to use its platform to spotlight the humanitarian emergency in Gaza, adding further pressure on governments to respond.