B&M is now one of the leading variety retailers in the UK and opened its first store in Blackpool in 1978. In\u00a02004\u00a0B&M was acquired by Simon and Bobby Arora from Phildrew Investments, at which time the Company traded from just 21 stores.\u00a0The business moved into a new head office and modern 620,000 square foot distribution centre in Speke, Liverpool. In 2012\u00a0B&M opened its 300th store in the UK.\u00a0Clayton, Dubilier and Rice, one of the world\u2019s leading private equity firms acquired a significant stake in B&M and Sir Terry Leahy was appointed and served as Chairman of B&M until March 2018.<\/p>\n
B&M lists on the London Stock Exchange as part of the next stage of its development. The listing is designed to support the Company\u2019s ambitious growth plans, both in the UK and continental Europe.\u00a0B&M opens an additional 500,000 square foot Distribution Centre at its head office in Speke, Liverpool.\u00a0B&M was admitted to the FTSE 250 index in June 2015. A year later and\u00a0B&M acquired two further Distribution Centres in the North West of the UK, with a combined 800,000 square foot additional capacity. Then\u00a0B&M opened its 500th store in the UK.<\/p>\n
B&M acquired the total issued share capital of Heron Foods Group, a value convenience store chain in the UK offering frozen, chilled and ambient food.\u00a0B&M opened its 600th store in the UK.\u00a0B&M acquired the Babou chain of variety goods stores in France<\/p>\n
In 2020 a\u00a0new 1 million square foot Distribution Centre in Bedford became fully operational in January 2020, supporting the continued roll out of new B&M stores in the South of England.\u00a0B&M was admitted to the FTSE 100 index in September 2020. Two years later and\u00a0B&M opened its 700th store in the UK.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"