Inflation cheers discount giant

DISCOUNT retailer B& M has notched up its best first-quarter sales for three years as it continues to attract cash-strapped shoppers to its stores.

The firm saw sales grow by 18.3pc to £656.3m in the three months up to June 30.

UK sales grew 7.3pc as chief executive Simon Arora highlighted the role inflation is having in driving shoppers to find bargains.

He said: ‘In these uncertain times, and with inflation returning to the UK market, more and more shoppers are actively seeking out value in our stores and that means our business is strongly positioned to do well and continue its rapid growth.’