Body Shop – the ethical cosmetics retailer owned by L’Oréal – sales increased 7.4 per cent in the first quarter. Sales were up 1.9 per cent on a like-for-like basis.

L’Oréal reported that recent launches, including the Moringa bodycare range and Fleurs de Printemps make-up, had contributed to a “dynamic growth trend”.

L’Oréal said: “All the geographic zones, except North America, made a solid start to the year, with particularly strong performances in Russia, Romania, Thailand, Malaysia, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates.”

16 Body Shop stores have opened since the start of the year, bringing the total number of stores to 2,442 in 59 countries.

Separately, Body Shop founder Dame Anita Roddick, who died last year, has left her entire£51 million fortune to charity, it has emerged.