B&M profits exceed expectations despite UK sales decline

In recent financial reports from B&M European Value Retail, the company indicated that its annual profits would be better than originally anticipated, even in light of declining sales in the UK market. This report pertains to data collected up until March 22, 2025, during which the company's like-for-like sales at UK stores experienced a downturn of 1.8 percent. The decline was primarily attributed to negative sales in fast-moving consumer goods, which the company noted were affecting its overall performance in that region. Despite the drop in UK sales, B&M's overall performance was buoyed by stronger results in France. This geographical diversification in market presence has mitigated some of the impacts from Britain. In particular, the company highlighted that sales in its French stores had performed well, which helped offset the negative trajectory seen in the UK. In the fourth quarter, there were improvements in both general merchandise sales values and unit volumes across B&M’s UK stores, with specific strong demand noted in garden, toys, paint, and stationery categories. This suggests that while overall sales might have suffered in certain sectors, particular categories are thriving, potentially hinting at changing consumer behaviors and preferences. Total group revenues for B&M rose by 3.7 percent to £5.6 billion for the 12 months ending March 2025. The company credits this growth to new store openings across the UK as well as a 3.2 percent increase in like-for-like sales across the total group, indicating a solid overall operational strategy amid specific market challenges.