B&M European Value Retail (LSE:BME), the UK's leading variety goods value retailer, reported group revenue growth of 2% for the first quarter of its 2027 financial year, the 13 weeks to 27 June.
The increase, 1.7% at constant currency, was driven by a 14.6% revenue jump at B&M France and a 2.8% rise at Heron Foods, offsetting a weaker UK performance.
B&M UK revenue rose just 0.3%, with like-for-like sales down 2.3% after a slower start to the garden season compared with unusually warm weather last April, when like-for-like sales grew 10.9%.
General merchandise like-for-like sales returned to growth in May and June, though this was offset by a decline in FMCG sales, where UK trading margin stayed below prior-year levels as the group continued to invest in price.
Chief executive Tjeerd Jegen said the French business showed "how consistent execution of the B&M model can drive higher footfall and positive sales in a competitive retail market", with like-for-like sales there accelerating to 5.3% from 1.7% in the fourth quarter, aided by new store openings and a mid-single-digit rise in transaction volumes.
Heron Foods like-for-like sales rose 2.6%, helped by strong Easter trading and clearance activity.
The group's UK general merchandise margin improved year-on-year, a trend management expects to continue as autumn and winter ranges land, alongside its SKU rationalisation programme, due to be 75% complete across UK stores by the end of July.
Atheeq Akbar will join as chief financial officer in February 2027, succeeding interim CFO Peter Waterhouse.
