Former X-Factor contestant Marlon McKenzie has criticised B&M in Burnage after discovering melted chocolate bars in the store during a heatwave. The 43-year-old singer and model visited the budget supermarket on 10 July with a friend and his daughter, when temperatures reached 30°C in the area.
Melted Chocolate Discovery
McKenzie found a number of his favourite confectionaries 'flopping down the shelf'. He said: “Instantly, it was like being transported straight to hell. It was scorching hot and I couldn’t bear to be in there for more than 10 minutes. I was beading with sweat and wiping my brow constantly as it was so unbearable.”
“Once I saw the chocolate, which was flopping down on the shelf, I was shocked. The bars were practically folding in half,” he added.
Customer Experience
McKenzie noted that while air conditioning was on, it was mostly focused on the tills. He said: “The rest of the store was unbearable. I didn’t see any shop workers on the floor [thankfully]. All the customers were flustered and shocked by the heat.”
In a video clip posted on social media, which racked up over 872,000 views and 79,000 likes, McKenzie showed himself wiping his soaked forehead. He said: “I’ve just stepped foot in here and I’m f**king melting. I’ve actually come all the way to B&M purposefully to get chocolate bars – but this is ridiculous.”
He picked up a KitKat bar and smushed the pack with ease, then did the same with Cadbury’s Marvellous Creations. One Cadbury and More Biscoff bar folded over the curve of his hand. He commented: “Everything is just ruined” and questioned whether all the stock would be thrown away.
Viral Reaction
Users flocked to the comments to share reactions. Ollie said: “Didn’t you know? B&M stands for Burn & Melt.” Lucie added: “My b and m I work at is fine we have air con all our chocolate isn’t melted it’s fine freezing inside.” Another commented: “Surely ac is cheaper than a whole shops worth of melted chocolate.”
Morrisons joined the banter, saying: “Average B&M experience,” with a picture of SpongeBob engulfed in flames. Another user added: “The way you’re squeezing all of them is hilarious.”
McKenzie said he returned a few days later and found the chocolate section had been cleared out. He added: “It has to be pretty hot in store for chocolate to melt to that point. It’s so bad.”
B&M Response
A spokesperson for B&M said: "During periods of exceptionally warm weather, we closely monitor conditions across our stores, regularly check temperatures, and continue to invest in air conditioning and additional cooling measures to help maintain product quality. As always, any product that does not meet our strict quality standards is removed from sale. We are also taking practical steps to support our colleagues, including more frequent breaks and additional cooling measures, to help keep store teams as comfortable as possible."
