B&M has announced it will open seven new stores over the next four weeks as part of a major expansion strategy, with locations including Colchester, Kingswood, Manchester, Stirling, Merseyside and Essex.
The move comes after a new outlet opened in Newtown, Wales on 7 November. The 22,000 square foot shop received a substantial refurbishment before its grand opening.
Store openings and dates
- Newport, Isle of Wight - Godric Road B&M Store with Garden Centre - November 27
- Colchester - St John's Walk B&M Store - November 28
- Kingswinford B&M Store - November 28
- Stirling - Thistles Shopping Centre B&M Home Store - November 28
- Middleton B&M Home Store, Unit S8, Middleton Shopping Centre, Greater Manchester - November 28
- Southport - Chapel Street B&M Store, Unit 2, 41-49 Chapel Street, Merseyside - December 3
- Rayleigh B&M Store, 12-24 Eastwood Road, Rayleigh - December 5
Expansion amid Poundland collapse
The retailer has featured prominently in the news this week following the collapse of retail giant Poundland. B&M is understood to have submitted bids for sections of the business.
B&M, originally known as B and M Bargains, is a major British variety store chain known for offering branded products at reduced prices. With nearly 1,300 outlets throughout the UK and France, it has become a cornerstone of British retail.
Unlike conventional discount retailers that predominantly stock generic or unbranded items, B&M acquires household-name brands such as Cadbury, Kellogg's, Heinz and Coca-Cola and sells them at lower prices than mainstream supermarkets. This is achieved through direct sourcing and an "Everyday Low Price" business model.
Recovery strategy
The new openings reflect growing confidence in the chain, which issued a profit warning in January. B&M said it had intensified efforts to clear excess stock through substantial discounts and was "confident the actions we are taking can restore sustainable like-for-like growth at B&M UK over the next 12 to 18 months".
The group's "back to basics" strategy, launched in October 2025, has seen it strengthen its pricing proposition, including price cuts across the range, while it has also considerably trimmed its product selection in numerous categories as part of efforts to streamline operations and cut costs.
