Gwyneth Paltrow has closed the UK branch of her Goop lifestyle store after losing an estimated £1.4million in sales as a result of the global pandemic.
The wellness brand, famous for offbeat products like psychic vampire repellent spray, sex dust and the infamous said candle line, was originally launched by Paltrow in 2008 as a weekly newsletter.
Since then it has grown into an internationally recognized brand and the 50-year-old Hollywood star opened her first UK store in affluent London’s Notting Hill in 2019.
Disappointing: Anyone hoping to get their hands on an orgasm scented candle may have to wait after Gwyneth Paltrow closed the UK branch of her lifestyle store Goop.
But the business was forced to close its doors when the coronavirus pandemic swept the UK in March 2020, triggering the first of a series of nationwide lockdowns, and has remained closed ever since, with significant losses in revenue.
Paltrow is understood to have since taken steps to wind up Worcestershire-based Goop Inc Ltd – the company responsible for running the financial operations of its UK operation – and has been removed from the official register at Companies House.
Since opening less than three years ago, the UK store has suffered significant losses totaling £1.4million, reports The Mirror.
Closed for business: The Hollywood star opened her first UK shop in affluent London’s Notting Hill in 2019, but closed its doors during the pandemic and has not reopened
The brand remains a lucrative global business, however, and its quirky wellness creations – designed primarily for women – have grossed up to £200m worldwide.
Launching Goop’s G. Label Core Collection clothing line in 2020, Paltrow’s lookalike daughter Apple, 18 – the eldest of her two children with ex-husband Chris Martin – modeled the designs.
While the brand’s UK store is permanently closed, Goop continues to sell its products in stores in the United States, Canada and France.
Aroma: Paltrow famously put a $75 vagina candle for sale on her online Goop store, revealing that it originally started out as a joke
Unconventional: The actress, who founded the site in 2008, previously advised readers to buy a $15,000 24k gold vibrator and jade vaginal eggs
Paltrow famously put a $75 candle cheekily named “This Smells Like My Vagina” up for sale on her online Goop store, revealing that the geranium, citrusy bergamot and cedarwood scented candle originally started out as a joke.
According to the product description: “This candle started out as a joke between perfumer Douglas Little and GP – the two were working on a scent and she blurted out, ‘Uhhh…that smells like a vagina’ – but evolved into a funny, beautiful, sexy and gorgeous one.” unexpected scent.
“(This turned out to be the perfect candle — we did a test run at In goop Health and it sold out within hours)” she explained.
Spicy: She has also branched out into the world of BDSM, selling a nude lingerie set alongside a black whip in 2021 that promised to fulfill consumers’ “fantasies”.
“It’s a blend of geranium, citrusy bergamot and cedar absolute contrasted with damask rose and ambrette seed, reminding us of fantasy, seduction and a sophisticated warmth.”
The actress previously advised readers to buy a $15,000 24k gold vibrator and vaginal jade eggs.
She has also branched out into the world of BDSM, selling a nude lingerie set along with a black whip in 2021 (currently on sale for $72) that promised to fulfill consumers’ “fantasies.”
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter in 2017, Paltrow challenged critics of the brand while also admitting that her celebrity status has contributed to her success.
She said: “I’m interested in criticism based on fact, not projection. If you want to fuck with me, bring your A game.
“I don’t know many young entrepreneurs who can call [Disney CEO] bob iger, [Facebook COO] Sheryl Sandberg or [Airbnb founder] Brian Chesky, and you’re kind enough to waste a bit of your day to help me.
“So in that sense, my fame was a huge asset.”
Opening u: 2017, Paltrow challenged critics of the brand while also admitting that her celebrity status has contributed to her success