Gwyneth Paltrow has closed the UK branch of her lifestyle store Goop after losing around £1.4million in revenue as a result of the global pandemic.
The wellness brand, famous for its offbeat products such as Psychic Vampire Repellent Spray, Sex Dust and the popular line of candles, was originally launched by Paltrow in 2008 as a weekly newsletter.
It has since become an internationally renowned brand, with the 50-year-old Hollywood star opening his first UK store in London’s affluent Notting Hill in 2019.
Disappointing: Anyone hoping to get their hands on an orgasm-scented candle may have to wait after Gwyneth Paltrow shut down the UK branch of her lifestyle store Goop.
But the store was forced to close when the coronavirus pandemic swept through Britain in March 2020, causing the first in a series of nationwide closures, and has remained closed ever since, suffering a loss of Substantial revenue in the process.
It is understood that Paltrow has since taken steps to dissolve Worcestershire-based Goop Inc Ltd – the company responsible for managing the financial transactions of its UK store – and removed from the official Companies House register.
Since its launch less than three years ago, the UK store has suffered substantial losses totaling £1.4million, reports The Mirror.
Closed for business: The Hollywood star opened his first UK store in London’s wealthy Notting Hill in 2019, but it closed during the pandemic and hasn’t reopened
However, the brand remains a lucrative global business and its quirky wellness creations – primarily designed for women – have fetched up to £200million worldwide.
At the launch of 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 boutiques across the United States, Canada and France.
Aroma: Paltrow listed a $75 vaginal candle on her online Goop store and revealed it started as a joke
Unconventional: The actress – who founded the website in 2008 – previously advised readers to buy a $15,000 24k gold vibrator and vaginal jade eggs
Paltrow listed a $75 candle cheekily named “This Smells Like My Vagina” for sale on her online Goop store and revealed that the geranium, lemon bergamot and cedar scented candle 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 fragrance, and she blurted out, ‘Uhhh…smells like a vagina’ – but evolved. into a funny, gorgeous, sexy and beautifully unexpected scent.
“(It turned out to be perfect as a candle – we did a test at an In goop Health, and it sold out within hours),” she explained.
Spicy: She also turned her attention to the world of BDSM and in 2021 sold a set of nude underwear alongside a black whip, which promised to fulfill consumers’ “fantasies”
“It’s a blend of geranium, lemony bergamot and cedar absolutes juxtaposed with Damask rose and ambrette seed that evokes fantasy, seduction and a sophisticated warmth.”
The actress previously advised readers to buy a $15,000 24-karat gold vibrator and jade vaginal eggs.
She also branched out into the world of BDSM and in 2021 sold a set of nude underwear alongside a black whip (currently on sale for $72), which promised to fulfill consumers’ “fantasies”.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter in 2017, Paltrow defied brand criticism while admitting her celebrity status has contributed to her success.
She said: “I’m interested in reviews based on facts, not projections. 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 they’re kind enough to waste a bit of their day helping me out.
“So in that regard, my stardom has been a huge asset,”
Opening up to you: Speaking in 2017, Paltrow defied criticism of the brand while admitting her celebrity status has contributed to her success
