B&M

B & M Retail Limited,[4] trading as B&M, is a British multinational variety store and garden centre chain founded in 1978 and based in Liverpool, England. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange, and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. B&M is part of the Jersey-based B&M European Value Retail S.A., which owns Heron Foods and operates the B&M (formerly Babou) stores in France.[5][6]

History

The business was founded by Malcolm Billington and Brian Mayman: the first store opened in Cleveleys, England, in 1978.[7] It was originally named Billington & Mayman, based on the founders' names, but was soon shortened to "B&M".[8] The company was the subject of a management buyout, financed by Phildrew Investments, in October 1996.[9]

It was acquired by Simon and Bobby Arora from Phildrew Investments in December 2004.[10]

In September 2006, the business saw significant growth, by acquiring the GlynWebb chain of Do It Yourself (DIY) stores and converting them into the B&M Home Store format.[11] The company also acquired a number of former Kwik Save,[12][13] Woolworths,[14] and Au-Naturale stores.[15]

The business moved into a new office and modern 620000 sqft distribution centre based in Speke, Liverpool in 2010.[16] In May 2011, B&M also purchased a number of Focus DIY stores.[17]

In December 2012, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, one of the world's leading private equity funds, acquired a significant stake in B&M, and Sir Terry Leahy and Vindi Banga joined the Board of Directors.[18]

In March 2014, the business acquired a majority stake in German discount retailer Jawoll and then opened a new 500,000 sq ft distribution centre in Speke, Liverpool.[16] In June 2014, the business was the subject of an initial public offering.[19] However, upon detailed analysis by the Columbia Business School, it was found the IPO of B&M was overhyped due to an already saturated market in the UK.[20]

In November 2014, the business opened its 400th store (in Stockport)[21] and claimed to serve in excess of three million customers every week.[22] During July 2017, the company completed the acquisition of the smaller frozen food store chain Heron Foods for £152 million.[23][24] In 2018 the company started a trial of converting Heron Food branches to B&M Express.[25]

As of 31 January 2018, B&M European Value Retail S.A. had issued 1,000,561,222 ordinary shares at the opening price of 10 pence.[26]

In October 2018, the company acquired French discount retailer Babou for €91.2 million,[27] and by the end of 2021, the Babou brand was replaced by B&M.[28]

In September 2020, the company announced that it planned to open about 45 stores, offering everything from tinned and frozen meals to wallpaper and bedding plants, which had become a lockdown phenomenon.[29]

On 4 February 2022, the company opened its 700th store at Border Retail Park in Wrexham.[30]

In September 2022, Simon Arora stepped down as chief executive after 17 years in the role and was replaced by Alex Russo.[31][32]

In September 2023, it was announced B&M had acquired 51 former Wilko stores from the administrator for £13 million.[33]

In 2024, B&M became one of the bidders for the struggling Homebase alongside CDS Superstores.[34] They later acquired some of the stores after Homebase collapsed into administration in November and opened them under B&M Home Store format.[35]

In May 2024, the company announced the appointment of Tjeerd Jegen as its new chief executive following the retirement of Alex Russo in February 2025.[36] Jegen will start from June 2025.[36]

In October 2025, the company announced its chief finance officer, Mike Schmidt, will leave the company after it has appointed his successor.[37]

Controversy

Operations

As of October 2025, B&M operates 764 stores in the UK and 129 stores in France.[48] It also operates 338 Heron Foods stores in the UK.[48]

Since September 2012, some stores have also been selling National Lottery goods.[49]

Financial performance

The financial performance has been as follows:

External links

• B&M retail website
• B&M corporate website