Beauty giant confirms permanent exit from all Westfield shopping centres

Fan-favourite cosmetics retailer Lush is set to depart all Westfield shopping centres nationwide. The handmade cosmetics brand, globally renowned for its fresh bath bombs and ethical stance, will no longer operate inside Westfield shopping centres as store leases expire. Fan-favourite cosmetics retailer Lush is set to depart all Westfield shopping centres nationwide. Westfield/Lush The exit marks a major shift in the company’s Australian retail footprint, ending a long-standing presence inside the country’s largest shopping centre network. A spokesperson for the bath bomb giant told nine.com.au it’s future focus would be on “serving local communities in the right locations”. “Over the next three years Lush will be coming out of all 10 of our Westfield locations across Australia,” the spokesperson said. “We aim to grow our presence across the country by serving local communities in the right locations with the appropriate size and type of store. A spokesperson said it’s future focus will be on ‘serving local communities in the right locations.’ Supplied/Lush “Lush is at its best when it reflects not just the skin and haircare needs of local communities, but amplifies that community’s values and aspirations.” In October 2025, Lush shut down all Australian retail stores, its website, and its Sydney manufacturing facility for a day in protest over humanitarian conditions in Gaza. During those protests, several Westfield locations moved to cover up shopfront signage posted by Lush. Lush at Chermside Westfield during the Gaza protest. Reddit Scentre Group, owner and operator of Westfield destinations in Australia and New Zealand, declined to comment on the basis that they “don’t comment on commercial arrangements with our business partners”. What this means for shoppers For Australian consumers, the exit will significantly alter where they can buy Lush products in person. Lush currently operates stores at major Westfield hubs including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. Standalone high-street outlets will continue operating at Sydney’s QVB and Macquarie Centre, alongside regional shopping centres. The brand also continues to drive sales through its online store and app. The brand also continues to drive sales through its online store and app. Lush A broader shift in Lush’s retail strategy Lush was an immediate breakout success in Australia when it landed on local shores in 1997. When Lush opened its first Australian store in Sydney’s historic Strand Arcade, it brought a completely novel shopping experience that contrasted sharply with traditional Australian department store beauty counters like Myer and David Jones. The brand’s iconic bath bombs, shampoo and soap bars, lotions and scrubs were displayed deli-style. Soaps were sliced off large blocks by weight, bath bombs were stacked loose in wooden crates, and fresh face masks sat on ice. The aromas also helped to draw in keen shoppers. In late-1990s Australia, naked (unpackaged) products and strict anti-animal-testing stances were relatively rare in mainstream retail. Aussie shoppers, particularly younger demographics, quickly embraced the brand’s ethical, cruelty-free messaging. Because of the instant popularity of the Sydney flagship, Australia became one of Lush’s fastest early international expansions, leading the company to quickly expand into major suburban malls and interstate capitals throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s. Australia became one of Lush’s fastest early international expansions. Lush The exit from Westfield comes as Lush continues to re-evaluate how it engages with customers. The privately held British cosmetics giant – valued globally at over US$1.5 billion ($2.3 billion) has a history of unconventional retail and marketing moves. Aussie shoppers quickly embraced the brand’s ethical, cruelty-free messaging. Lush In late 2021, Lush deactivated its official brand accounts across Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to protest algorithm impact on youth mental health, relying instead on direct foot traffic, physical store experiences, and grassroots advocacy. While store staff in affected Westfield locations face uncertainty over closing dates and potential relocations, Lush is expected to explore standalone street-front flagships and alternative retail partnerships to rebuild its Australian presence outside the Westfield ecosystem.