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People are only just realising what B&M actually stands for & it’s blowing their minds
It's not the only shop name that's left people stunned
WE ALL have our favourite high street stores - and when it comes to going in we rarely think about what the sign out front actually means.
But it seems one B&M fan took a deep dive into what the two famous letters actually stand for.
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Most of us haven't stopped to think about the details but Ryan Kent did and now people can't believe what he found out.
In his video user revealed the real names of some of the UK’s biggest high street stores including the discount retailer.
And it turns out that the homeware store was initially known as Billington & Mayman, which doesn't quite roll off the tongue like B&M.
The name derived from the man behind the business, Malcolm Billington and Mayman who was a partner in the business - but was shortened to B&M.
However, several B&M workers have disputed this on social media with some arguing it stands for Bargains & More.
Previous reports have also suggested that B&;M was short for Bargain Madness.
But a spokesperson for B&M has previously confirmed that it does indeed stand for Billington & Mayman.
Viewers were left stunned by the realisation with many admitting they had no idea that was the name of the store, sharing their shock in the comments.
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One wrote: “I thought B&M was bargains & more!”
“What wait, this can’t be true!” added another, while a third wrote, “My mind is blown.”
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But it isn't just fans who were confused by the name.
The current owner of the chain, Simon Arora, who bought the chain in 2005, once admitted that he did not know what 'B&M' stands for.
In an interview with the McKinsey Alumni Center, he said: "Someone once told told me that it was obvious – it stands for 'Bargains and More'.
"That's good enough for me."
The first B&M store opened that same year in Cleveleys, Lancashire, and Malcolm remained company director until October 1996.
In December 2004, the retailer was bought by Simon and Bobby Arora from Phildrew Investments, at which point B&M's mini empire had expanded to 21 stores.
In the following two years it continued to go from strength to strength, with the business taking on the GlynWebb chain of DIY stores, and converting them into the popular B&M Homestore format.
It also acquired several former Kwik Save, Woolworths and Au-Naturale (remember that?) stores, and opened its 300th branch in 2012.
By 2015, the number of B&M stores hit 450, and last year it celebrated the opening of its 500th.
Retailers closing stores in 2024
RETAILERS have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis.
High energy costs and a move to shopping online are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.
Here's a list of all the big-name brands closing stores this year:
- Argos - The brand announced plans to close 100 standalone UK branches last year as it looks to move away from the high street and focus on expanding its presence in supermarkets.
- B&Q - The chain has over 300 shops across the UK, so chances are you have one near you, but some stores have closed in recent months.
- Boots - The health and beauty chain announced that it would be closing 300 stores last July. Closures are ongoing and this will see the retailer's estate reduced from 2,200 to 1,900 shops.
- Clintons - Clintons mulled plans to close 38 shops in a bid to avoid insolvency late last year. We've listed the stores affected.
- Costa Coffee - The caffeine giant has around 2,000 sites nationwide, so chances are you'll have one near you. The chain has shut the doors to dozens of its sites recently. We've revealed which stores are due to close this year.
- Iceland - The supermarket has more than 900 stores but closed nearly two dozen sites in 2023, and more selected shops are due to shut.
- Lidl - The supermarket, which has 950 stores, is changing up shop locations, which has meant that some stores have to close. But the retailer is also looking to open 12 new supermarkets.
- M&S - M&S, which runs 405 stores across the country, has been closing a string of branches across the country in a blow for shoppers. It's not all bad news, though, because the chain also has big plans to open dozens of new shops as well.
- Trespass - The firm announced in July last year that it was closing six branches, but more are on the way.
- WHSmith - The retail giant, which runs over 1,100 stores, has shuttered eight stores since March 2023, but more are coming.
Currently there are over 686 high street and out of town stores across the UK, which see an average of three million customer transactions each week.
The Group also owns JA Woll in Germany - an 80-strong store discount chain of variety goods - and its Heron Foods business operates over 250 discount convenience stores in England and Wales.
B&M is also known as B&M Bargains and the larger B&M Homestore.
But that's not all - Ryan also found the real names of other beloved UK stores including DIY specialists B&Q.
In the clip, he revealed the initial name for the shop was actually Block and Quayle.
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Also on the list was H&M, which was originally named Hennes and Mauritz after it's co-founders.
Another one that left viewers baffled was entertainment store HMV - which was first called His Masters Voice.
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