B&M reveals 16 of 45 new UK store locations set to open this year amid push for retail growth.

 B&M has announced it will open 45 new stores across the UK in 2025, with 16 specific locations already confirmed—including Doncaster, Antrim and Bridgend—as the budget chain pushes ahead with its expansion despite a slip in domestic sales.

The retailer, known for its discounted home and garden products, revealed the latest openings in a trading update this week. While the full list of store locations has not yet been disclosed, customers eager for a new B&M nearby can keep tabs on its website for future announcements.

The openings come on the back of 45 new store launches in 2024, which the company said have performed “in line with expectations” and are delivering “strong returns.” The 2025 rollout is expected to maintain that momentum, even as like-for-like sales in the UK fell by 3.1% to £4.5 billion in the year to 29 March.

Despite the drop in British figures, B&M’s overall group sales rose 3.7% to £5.6 billion, thanks in part to robust store performance in France and the income generated by new openings.

So far, the confirmed new store locations and opening dates are as follows:

• Hall Croft, Shepshed, Leicestershire – 26 April
  
• New Rossington, Doncaster, South Yorkshire – 2 May
  
• Eastgate, Louth, Lincolnshire – 16 May
  
• Watling Road, Bishop Auckland, County Durham – 17 May
  
• Bridge Street, Killamarsh, Derbyshire – 21 May
  
• Middlebrook Way, Cromer, Norfolk – 23 May
  
• Linden Park Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent – 24 May
  
• Tweedmouth, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland – 30 May
  
• Wyndham Way Retail Park, Portishead, Somerset – 30 May
  
• The Eden Centre, Carlisle, Cumbria – 30 May
  
• Wrekin Retail Park, Telford, Shropshire – 31 May
  
• Horsted, Chatham – 6 June
  
• Queens Parade, Winsford – 11 June
  
• Picton Court, Bridgend – 14 June
  
• Galashiels – 20 June
  
• Antrim – 19 August
  

The announcement arrives as UK retailers grapple with increased operational costs. B&M, like many others, faces pressures from rising employer national insurance contributions and an increased national minimum wage following Labour’s Budget last October.

While B&M shares have fallen 12% this year and 37% over the last 12 months—down from a peak at the end of 2023—the company remains committed to growth and long-term strategy. A successor to current CEO Alejandro Russo is still being sought, with the group stating it is “making progress” in its search for a new chief executive.

B&M continues to capitalise on the collapse of other high street names. In September 2023, it snapped up dozens of sites from failed rival Wilko, following the latter’s collapse into administration. The acquisition helped bolster B&M’s footprint while competitors contracted.

B&M’s key product categories—garden supplies, toys, paint, and stationery—have underpinned its performance and proved resilient in tougher trading conditions.

The wider retail landscape remains turbulent. Fashion chain Quiz went into administration in February, and WH Smith has agreed to sell its high-street stores, which will be rebranded under new ownership as TGJones. Meanwhile, 108 directly owned Post Office branches are being transferred to franchisees, affecting up to 1,000 employees.

Despite the challenging environment, B&M is betting on bricks-and-mortar expansion to drive future growth. For shoppers, that means new local stores popping up throughout the year—and the chance to snag bargains even as the broader high street shifts under pressure.