Retailer B&M says annual profit may rise up to 16% as turnaround takes hold
Nov 12 (Reuters) - Discount retailer B&M BMEB.L said on Thursday its annual profit may rise up to 16% after second-quarter like-for-like UK sales grew 3.2%, as lower prices and leaner ranges under CEO Tjeerd Jegen’s turnaround plan win back cash-strapped shoppers.
Here are some details:
B&M forecast fiscal 2027 adjusted pre-tax profit between £280 million and £330 million ($371.20 million and $437.48 million), compared with £284 million reported a year earlier
The rise in second-quarter sales marks a turnaround from the first quarter, when a slow start to the gardening season dragged on UK sales
Early trading in its "golden quarter", which refers to its peak trading period between October and December, has been positive in each of its three businesses, it said
Revenue for the six months ended September 26 rose 3.6% to £2,848 million, with higher like-for-like (LFL) sales in all three businesses
Jegen's "Back to B&M Basics" plan is intended to rebuild profitability amid stiff competition, particularly from supermarket loyalty schemes
First-half LFL sales grew 5.9% in France and B&M said it had not seen a material impact from ongoing social unrest in the country
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