ladbible homepage
ladbible homepage
  • Home
  • News
    • UK
    • US
    • World
    • Ireland
    • Australia
    • Science
    • Crime
    • Weather
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV
    • Film
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • Netflix
    • Disney
  • Sport
  • Technology
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Money
  • Originals
    • FFS PRODUCTIONS
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Citizen Reef
  • Videos
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
People are just finding out what B&M stands for and it's blowing their minds
Home>Lifestyle>Food & Drink
Published 15:40 28 Mar 2024 GMT

People are just finding out what B&M stands for and it's blowing their minds

What we thought B&M stands for couldn't be further from the truth.

Anish Vij

Anish Vij

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

People are only just finding out what B&M stands for and it's really not what you think.

The B&M we all know and love is great for - well - a bargain.

With a whopping 703 stores in the UK, the company is well known for its below retail garden furniture, homeware, toys, sweets, drinks and beauty products... you name it, they will have it.

From its first store in Blackpool in 1978, B&M now employs over 35,000 staff and is valued at a multi-billion pound company.

Advert

Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

But while most shoppers have forever assumed that B&M stands for 'Bargains & More', but it's completely untrue.

Before revealing the real name of the brand, you've first got to look back at its origins.

The owners, who founded the business in Luxembourg, were relatively unknown until Bobby and Simon Arora from Phildrew Investments acquired the company in 2004 and made it what it is today.

But even Simon didn't know what B&M stood for.

In an interview with McKinsey Alumni Center, he said: "Someone once told me that it was obvious - it stands for 'Bargains and More'.

"That's good enough for me."

Taking to social media, fans have also been confused for years, as one person wrote: "I thought B&M was bargains & more!"

"What wait, this can't be true!" a second penned, while third added: "My mind is blown."

John Keeble/Getty Images

Without further ado, B&M is named after its original owners - Malcolm Billington and Brian Mayman.

The company was originally named Billington & Mayman, based on their names, but it was soon shortened to B&M.

One for your quiz night that.

This comes after the bargain retail giant left their customers very happy indeed when they brought back one of the most nostalgic treats ever.

Opal Fruits sweets were gradually phased out in the UK, followed by Ireland, way back in 1998.

The rebrand was part of an effort to standardise the fruit chews and match what the same sweets were being packaged as in the US at the time - Starburst.

B&M/X

Opal Fruits boasts the OG flavours of lemon, orange, strawberry, and lime, while Starburst also included a mixed lemon and lime sweet as well as a blackcurrant flavour.

While the name change took place over two decades ago - it's clear that Brits still kept the good old Opal Fruits branding in their hearts

Posting a photo of the packet of the once-retro sweets next to a '£1' sign, they posted on X: "We have Opal Fruits if anyone is interested?"

Featured Image Credit: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images/John Keeble/Getty Images

Topics: Shopping, Food And Drink, UK News

Anish Vij
Anish Vij

Anish is a Journalist at LADbible Group and is a GG2 Young Journalist of the Year 2025. He has a Master's degree in Multimedia Journalism and a Bachelor's degree in International Business Management. Apart from that, his life revolves around the ‘Four F’s’ - family, friends, football and food. Email: [email protected]

X

@Anish_Vij

Recommended reads

Lewis Hamilton says it's 'amazing' to have Kim Kardashian's support after awkward Martin Brundle momentArnold Jerocki/FilmMagicMolly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury reveal gender of second child days after birth(Instagram/@mollymae)Nine injured after shooting near England team's World Cup base in Kansas CityJamie Squire/Getty Images‘Blank page’ passport rule that could see you banned from flightGetty Stock Photo

Advert

Choose your content:

10 hours ago
a day ago
2 days ago
  • Getty Stock
    10 hours ago

    Real reason you get cavities in your teeth - and it's not sugar

    If your teeth have seen better days, chances are it's not down to the sweet stuff.

    Lifestyle
  • LADbible
    a day ago

    Altra Experience Flow 3 and Wild 3+ Review: Built for Comfort, Control and Ground Connection

    Both trail and road versions in the Experience range offer a comfortable running solution in a super shoe dominated market.

    Lifestyle
  • Jewel Samad/Getty
    a day ago

    People are just realising what SPAM means after 89 years on the shelves

    SPAM is a cupboard staple for many, but did you know what the name means?

    Lifestyle
  • Instagram/niv3n
    2 days ago

    Man, 28, with end of life kidney failure shares signs he missed

    The 'fit and active' lad from Preston couldn't believe his diagnosis at first as he 'felt fine'

    Lifestyle
  • People are just realising what SPAM means after 89 years on the shelves
  • People are just finding out what McDonald’s Grimace actually is
  • B&M product urgently recalled over fears it could cause scalding
  • British Kebab firm fined £500k for what it was actually selling as 'lamb kebabs'