Value retailer B&M has reported a growth in first quarter sales although UK like-for-like sales were down.
According to its first quarter trading update for the 13 week period ended 27 June 2026., total group sales rose 2% to £1.4bn, with B&M UK sales rising 0.3% to £1.1bn, with like-for-like sales down by 2.3%. France sales rose 14.6% to £156m.
The group said that like-for-like sales declined due to a slower start to garden and outdoor sales compared with last year, when unusually early warm and dry weather drove +10.9% LFL sales growth in April 2025. General merchandise LFL sales returned to growth in May and June, offsetting a decline in FMCG LFL sales.
Tjeerd Jegen, Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our first quarter is our seasonally most variable for sales, and the previously mentioned slower start to our garden season against a very strong comparable last year made this especially so in Q1. Against this backdrop, the like-for-like sales decline at B&M UK was expected, but it was pleasing to see our general merchandise categories return to growth in May and June, and our garden and outdoor inventories ending the season at normal stock levels.
“France performed strongly, showing how consistent execution of the B&M model can drive higher footfall and positive sales in a competitive retail market. As with Heron, which also delivered positive sales growth in the quarter, the smaller contribution of garden and outdoor categories to sales resulted in a like-for-like performance that is less impacted by seasonal factors, and more in keeping with the outcome we are working hard to achieve for B&M UK under Back to B&M Basics.
“We continued to deliver on our Back to B&M Basics plan to support a recovery in like-for-like FMCG sales at B&M UK. This includes sharpening our FMCG ranges through SKU rationalisation, which is now well underway across our UK stores and will be 75% complete by the end of July. Our B&M UK general merchandise trading margin continued the upward trend we communicated with FY26 results, which together with our ongoing focus on cost mitigation underscore our confidence in rebuilding Group profitability over time.”
