B&M
British multinational discount variety-store and garden-centre retailer
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
B&M is a British discount retailer whose stores combine general merchandise, grocery, home-improvement products and seasonal goods under a value-focused format. The business began in 1978 when Malcolm Billington and Brian Mayman opened a store in Cleveleys, England. Its original name, Billington & Mayman, was shortened to B&M as the chain developed. Unlike a conventional supermarket or department store, B&M uses a broad, frequently changing assortment and emphasizes low prices, high-volume purchasing and opportunistic sourcing. Its offer commonly includes packaged and frozen food, household supplies, furniture, home décor, do-it-yourself products, toys, clothing, small electrical goods, seasonal merchandise and garden products. The retailer changed ownership and scale several times. A management buyout financed by Phildrew Investments was completed in 1996, and Simon and Bobby Arora acquired the business from Phildrew in 2004. Under the Aroras, B&M expanded rapidly through new stores, acquisitions and the conversion of existing retail properties. The 2006 acquisition of GlynWebb helped establish the B&M Home Store format, while former Kwik Save, Woolworths, Au-Naturale and Focus DIY locations provided additional sites. A new office and large distribution centre in Speke, Liverpool, strengthened the company's logistics platform during this expansion. Clayton, Dubilier & Rice acquired a significant stake in 2012, and former Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy and Vindi Banga joined the board. B&M then broadened its European presence. It bought a majority stake in German discount retailer Jawoll in 2014 and acquired French discount chain Babou in 2018. The Babou stores were subsequently rebranded as B&M by the end of 2021. In the United Kingdom, the group added the frozen-food retailer Heron Foods in 2017 and later tested smaller B&M Express-style formats within parts of the Heron estate. B&M became a listed company through an initial public offering in 2014. Its growth has been supported by a large store network, centralized distribution, private-label and branded merchandise, and a format that can be adapted to retail parks and other secondary locations. The company remained open as an essential retailer during the United Kingdom's COVID-19 restrictions, when many other retailers had to close. That period increased public scrutiny of its receipt of government support and its decision to pay a special dividend, although B&M later agreed to repay a substantial amount of business-rates relief. The group continued to expand after the pandemic. It opened its 700th UK store in Wrexham in February 2022, acquired 51 former Wilko stores from administrators in 2023, and became involved in the restructuring of Homebase after that retailer entered administration in 2024. Selected former Homebase locations were subsequently converted to B&M Home Store sites. The wider group also operates Heron Foods in the United Kingdom and B&M stores in France. Leadership passed from Simon Arora to Alex Russo in 2022, with Tjeerd Jegen appointed to succeed Russo from June 2025. B&M's current proposition is built around recognizable value, a broad and changing product mix, convenient locations and rapid store rollout rather than a narrow specialist category.
History
B&M was founded in 1978 by Malcolm Billington and Brian Mayman. The first store opened in Cleveleys, Lancashire, and the business initially traded under the founders' surnames, Billington & Mayman. The name was quickly shortened to B&M, a form that became the basis of the later retail brand. The company underwent a management buyout in October 1996 financed by Phildrew Investments. In December 2004, Simon and Bobby Arora acquired the business from Phildrew. Their ownership period was marked by aggressive growth in store numbers, property conversion and merchandise range. In 2006, B&M bought the GlynWebb DIY chain and converted those sites into B&M Home Stores. It also took over selected former Kwik Save, Woolworths and Au-Naturale premises. Further expansion followed through the purchase of former Focus DIY stores in 2011. B&M invested in infrastructure as the chain expanded. In 2010 it moved into a new office and a 620,000-square-foot distribution centre at Speke in Liverpool. A further 500,000-square-foot Speke distribution centre was opened in 2014. These facilities supported the company's low-price model by allowing centralized purchasing and distribution across a large store estate. Clayton, Dubilier & Rice acquired a significant stake in December 2012. The investment was accompanied by the appointment of Sir Terry Leahy and Vindi Banga to the board. B&M expanded outside the United Kingdom in 2014 by acquiring a majority stake in German discount retailer Jawoll. In June that year, B&M completed an initial public offering and became listed on the London Stock Exchange. The flotation attracted commentary about the level of growth available in an increasingly competitive UK discount market, but the company continued to add stores. The chain opened its 400th store in Stockport in November 2014. In July 2017, the group bought Heron Foods, a smaller frozen-food retailer, for £152 million. B&M later experimented with converting some Heron branches to B&M Express-style stores, while retaining Heron as a distinct operating format in much of the estate. In October 2018, the group acquired French discount retailer Babou for €91.2 million. The French business was subsequently rebranded, and by the end of 2021 the Babou name had been replaced by B&M. During the COVID-19 pandemic, B&M was classified as an essential retailer in the United Kingdom and was able to trade while many non-essential stores were closed. It announced plans to open approximately 45 stores in September 2020. The company's use of government business-rates relief and furlough support became controversial after it reported strong profitability and paid a special dividend. B&M later agreed to repay £80 million of business-rates relief. The company opened its 700th UK store in Wrexham on 4 February 2022. In September that year, Simon Arora left the chief executive role and Alex Russo took over. B&M continued to grow through property acquisitions, buying 51 former Wilko stores from administrators in September 2023. It also participated in the recovery of the Homebase store estate after Homebase entered administration in November 2024, with selected locations converted to B&M Home Stores. B&M remains part of B&M European Value Retail S.A., whose operations include the UK B&M estate, Heron Foods and the French B&M business. The group combines general merchandise and grocery retailing with a discount proposition, a high level of seasonal rotation and a store-led expansion strategy. Leadership was due to pass to Tjeerd Jegen in June 2025 following Alex Russo's retirement.
- 2024
Homebase locations added
[1]B&M acquires selected former Homebase stores and converts some to B&M Home Stores.
- 2023
Former Wilko locations acquired
[1]B&M buys 51 former Wilko stores from administrators.
- 2022
700th UK store
[1]B&M opens its 700th UK store in Wrexham.
- 2021
French rebranding
[1]The former Babou estate is substantially transitioned to the B&M brand.
- 2018
Babou acquisition
[1]The group acquires French discount retailer Babou.
- 2017
Heron Foods acquisition
[1]B&M acquires the Heron Foods frozen-food chain.
- 2014
European expansion and public listing
[1]B&M acquires a majority stake in Jawoll, opens another Speke distribution centre and completes its London Stock Exchange IPO.
- 2012
Clayton, Dubilier & Rice investment
[1]Clayton, Dubilier & Rice acquires a significant stake and Sir Terry Leahy and Vindi Banga join the board.
- 2010
Speke distribution centre
[1]The company moves into a new Liverpool office and 620,000-square-foot distribution centre.
- 2006
GlynWebb acquisition
[1]B&M acquires GlynWebb DIY stores and begins converting sites to the B&M Home Store format.
Products and positioning
Value-led variety retail with a broad, fast-changing assortment and low-price emphasis
Discount general merchandise · 1978
B&M variety stores
The core B&M format sells a wide and frequently changing mix of grocery, household, home, toy, clothing, electrical, seasonal and garden products. The format is designed around value pricing, high stock rotation and a treasure-hunt shopping experience rather than a fixed specialist assortment.
Home improvement and homewares · 2006
B&M Home Store
The Home Store format gives greater space to furniture, décor, DIY, storage, bedding, flooring, wallpaper and garden products. It developed partly through the conversion of acquired DIY sites and is also used for selected larger or repurposed locations.
Frozen and convenience grocery
Heron Foods
Heron Foods is the group's frozen-food and convenience-store business. Its stores focus on frozen food, chilled products, groceries, snacks and household essentials, generally in smaller locations than the main B&M estate. Some branches have been tested under B&M Express-style branding.
Discount general merchandise · 2018
B&M France
B&M's French operation grew from the acquisition of Babou and later adopted the B&M name. It offers a broadly comparable discount assortment spanning home, seasonal, garden, household and selected grocery categories.
Controversies
2026
B&M files claim against Morrisons over alleged IP infringement
B&M Retail Limited filed a High Court claim against WM Morrison Supermarkets Limited and a senior buyer, alleging intellectual property infringement and breach of confidence. The claims remain allegations; the article says a hearing had yet to take place.
2022
Warehouse electrical-safety prosecution
The Health and Safety Executive prosecuted B&M after an electrical explosion during temporary-generator work injured an electrician. The case concerned the company's failure to appoint a suitably competent person to plan and execute the work.
2020
COVID-19 relief and special-dividend criticism
B&M faced criticism for receiving business-rates relief and furlough support while trading as an essential retailer, reporting strong profits and paying a special dividend. It subsequently agreed to repay £80 million of business-rates relief.
2018
Underage knife sales
Test purchases at stores in Redbridge and Barking found knives had been sold to three children under 18. B&M pleaded guilty and received a substantial fine.
2012
Fire-safety offences at Mansfield store
B&M pleaded guilty to six offences under the UK fire-safety regulations after inspections identified repeated deficiencies, including blocked fire exits. The company was fined.
Marketing campaigns
- 2020Essential-retailer trading and store expansion
United Kingdom
During the COVID-19 restrictions, B&M operated as an essential retailer and announced plans for approximately 45 new stores. The expansion emphasized groceries, household products, home goods and garden merchandise.
Outcome. The company remained open while many non-essential retailers were closed and continued expanding its store estate.
Brand decisions
2024
Takes selected former Homebase storesM&ABackground
Homebase entered administration, creating an opportunity to acquire selected large-format retail sites.
Action taken
B&M acquired some former Homebase locations and opened selected sites under its B&M Home Store format.
Aftermath
The move extended B&M's property-led expansion and home-focused format strategy.
2023
Acquires former Wilko storesM&ABackground
The collapse of Wilko made a large number of established UK retail locations available.
Action taken
B&M bought 51 former Wilko stores from the administrator.
Aftermath
The acquisition provided additional locations for B&M's UK rollout.
Acquisition consideration. £13 million (2023)
2022
Changes chief executiveGeneration changeBackground
Simon Arora stepped down after roughly 17 years as chief executive.
Action taken
Alex Russo became chief executive.
Aftermath
The leadership transition followed a long period of store and international expansion under Arora.
2018
Acquires Babou in FranceM&ABackground
B&M pursued a larger presence in the French discount-variety market.
Action taken
B&M acquired French retailer Babou and subsequently began replacing the Babou identity with B&M.
Aftermath
The French estate became part of the group's international B&M network.
Acquisition consideration. €91.2 million (2018)
2017
Adds Heron FoodsM&ABackground
B&M wanted to broaden its grocery presence through a smaller frozen-food and convenience format.
Action taken
The group acquired Heron Foods and retained it as a complementary operating brand.
Aftermath
B&M gained a significant smaller-store grocery estate and later tested B&M Express-style conversions.
Acquisition consideration. £152 million (2017)
2014
Expands into Germany through JawollM&ABackground
B&M sought to extend its discount-retail model beyond the UK.
Action taken
The company acquired a majority stake in German discount retailer Jawoll.
Aftermath
The transaction marked an early step in the group's European expansion.
2006
Develops the B&M Home Store formatStrategyBackground
The acquisition of GlynWebb gave B&M a group of DIY-oriented locations that could support a broader home and general-merchandise proposition.
Action taken
B&M converted acquired DIY stores into B&M Home Stores and expanded its home-improvement and homewares range.
Aftermath
The Home Store format became an important part of the group's larger-store and property-conversion strategy.
Recent events
B&M files claim against Morrisons over alleged IP infringement[2]
Reported:
B&M Retail Limited filed a High Court claim against WM Morrison Supermarkets Limited and a senior buyer, alleging intellectual property infringement and breach of confidence. The claims remain allegations; the article says a hearing had yet to take place.
B&M opened a store at Barry Waterfront Retail Park[3]
Reported:
B&M opened a new store in Barry Waterfront Retail Park on November 21, 2020.
B&M announces a new Northwich store[4]
Reported:
B&M announced that an opening date had been set for a new store in the former Marks and Spencer unit in Northwich; the source does not provide the opening date.
B&M agrees to sell its 80% stake in Jawoll[5]
Reported:
B&M European Retail exchanged contracts to sell its 80% stake in Jawoll to a consortium of German investors for €12.5 million. Completion remained conditional on German competition authority clearance.
Sources5 sources
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