B&M closes 49 stores, temporarily

B&M has decided to close 49 stores temporarily in light of current trading conditions out of a total 656 in the UK.

These are typically small format stores and in some cases are located within shopping centres that have largely ceased trading. Some 42 of the 49 stores are close to other larger B&M stores.

B&M will review the trading patterns on an on-going basis and intend to re-open those stores as soon as normal shopping patterns resume.

Staff at the affected stores have been furloughed under the Government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

The closed stores represent 3% revenue.