Liverpool value retail giant B&M reports rise in full-year revenues to £5.6bn helped by sales in France while its UK stores struggle with poor sales. Tony McDonough reports
Value retailer B&M is pledging to improve sales at its UK stores after full-year figures reveal a difficult 12 months.
In a sales update for the 12 months to March 29, 2025, B&M reported a 3.7% rise in revenues of 3.7%. However, much of this was driven by a good performance from its 120+ French stores where sales were up 2.6%.
Liverpool-based B&M operates more than 750 stores in the UK and their performance was poor with annual sales falling by 3.1% amid a dip in consumer confidence. Its UK frozen food brand, Heron Foods, also saw negative like-for-like sales.
In February LBN reported how the company had lowered its full-year profit forecasts for the second time in a few weeks. At the same time it also announced the departure of chief executive Alex Russo.
Its search for the new CEO continues with the company, which has its headquarters and main distribution centre in Speke, saying on Tuesday it was “making progress” in the search and “will make an announcement in the coming weeks”.
In the latest update it said: “ B&M UK general merchandise sales values and unit volumes in Q4 increased on both a like-for-like and total basis. Garden, toys, paint and stationery categories have underpinned performance.
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“FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods delivered a negative like-for-like while remaining positive in total sales value and volume growth. Actions are underway to improve FMCG LFL performance.
“Opened 45 B&M UK gross new stores in line with previous guidance. These new stores are performing in line with our expectations and are generating strong returns. Pipeline for next year continues to be robust with 45 gross new store openings expected.
“Continued progress being made in France with 11 gross new stores and Heron with 14 gross new stores opened during the year.”
