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BME B&m European Value Retail S.a.

521.60
4.60 (0.89%)
03 May 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
B&m European Value Retail S.a. LSE:BME London Ordinary Share LU1072616219 ORD 10P (DI)
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  4.60 0.89% 521.60 521.80 522.20 525.00 517.20 519.80 2,545,691 16:35:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Misc Retail Stores, Nec 4.98B 348M 0.3470 15.04 5.23B

B&M European Value Retail S.A. Half-year Report (1164H)

13/11/2018 7:00am

UK Regulatory


B&m European Value Retail (LSE:BME)
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TIDMBME

RNS Number : 1164H

B&M European Value Retail S.A.

13 November 2018

13 November 2018

B&M European Value Retail S.A.

Interim Results Announcement

Solid first half and start to H2

B&M European Value Retail S.A. ("the Group"), the UK's leading variety goods value retailer, today announces its interim results for the 26 weeks to 29 September 2018.

HIGHLIGHTS

   --      Group revenues increased by +16.1% to GBP1,563.0m, +16.0% at constant currency(1) 

-- B&M(2) UK revenues were up +7.1%, which includes like-for-like revenues(3) of +0.9% on an underlying basis(4) excluding the non-comparable Easter trading week which fell in week 53 of FY18. Like-for-like revenues were flat if no adjustment is made for the non-comparable Easter trading week

-- At the start of Q3 like-for-like sales growth so far in B&M fascia stores in the UK has been similar to H1, and the business is well placed for the "golden quarter" trading

-- Group adjusted EBITDA(5) increased by 13.5% to GBP131.8m (FY18: GBP116.1m) and the B&M UK adjusted EBITDA(5) increased by +12.1%

   --      Profit before tax increased by 32.5% to GBP115.0m (FY18: GBP86.8m) 

-- Earnings per share 9.3p, an increase of 36.8% (FY18: 6.8p). Adjusted Diluted earnings per share(5) 8.0p, up 14.3% (FY18: 7.0p)

-- Cash flow from operations GBP67.0m (FY18: GBP44.2m), reflecting EBITDA(5) growth and working capital discipline

-- Interim dividend(6) increased by 12.5% to 2.7p per share (FY18: 2.4p per share) to be paid on 21 December 2018

-- 22 gross new B&M UK store openings of which 5 are relocations (net 15 after 2 closures) and on track to open at least 58 gross new B&M stores this financial year

-- German business, Jawoll, opened 2 new stores in the period, and on track to open 10 new stores this financial year

-- Jawoll's revenue growth was +4.1%, although margin was impacted as expected by clearance activity on old stock lines as Jawoll introduces more B&M sourced products

-- Heron Foods has continued to trade well and opened 9 gross new stores, net 4 and on track to open at least 20 gross new stores this financial year

-- Babou, a value retailer in France, acquired in October 2018 with 95 stores, providing a platform for future growth in a large and attractive market

Simon Arora, Chief Executive, said,

"B&M has delivered a good first half performance. The core B&M fascia stores made good progress and we have made a solid start in the second half of the financial year. Heron Foods has grown strongly in the UK, and in Jawoll the new management team is now utilising the B&M supply chain, with clear early signs that customers are responding positively to the new products.

I'm delighted that having completed our recent purchase of Babou in France, we are now positioned to expand B&M's disruptive, value-led model in Europe's three largest consumer markets.

With the core B&M UK business having had a record half year performance, we are well placed to prosper in a difficult and uncertain retail environment."

Financial Results (unaudited)

 
 
                                  H1 FY 2019(7)     H1 FY 2018(7)      Change 
 
   Total Group revenues            GBP1,563.0m       GBP1,346.4m      +16.1%(8) 
 
   B&M                             GBP1,276.7m       GBP1,192.0m        +7.1% 
 
   Jawoll                           GBP111.2m         GBP106.8m         +4.1% 
 
   Heron(8)                         GBP175.1m         GBP47.5m         +268.4% 
 
   Total Group revenues at              -                 -            +16.0% 
   constant currency(1) 
                               ----------------  ----------------  ------------ 
 
   Number of stores 
 
   Group                               948               893            +6.2% 
 
   B&M                                 591               552            +7.1% 
 
   Jawoll                              88                82             +7.3% 
 
   Heron                               269               259            +3.9% 
                               ----------------  ----------------  ------------ 
 
   Adjusted EBITDA(5)               GBP131.8m         GBP116.1m        +13.5% 
 
   B&M                              GBP120.8m         GBP107.8m        +12.1% 
 
   Jawoll                            GBP1.1m           GBP5.9m         -80.8% 
                                                       GBP2.4m 
   Heron(8)                          GBP9.9m                           +311.6% 
                               ----------------  ----------------  ------------ 
 
   Adjusted EBITDA(5) margin 
   %                                  8.4%              8.6%           (19)bps 
                               ----------------  ----------------  ------------ 
 
   Profit before tax                GBP115.0m         GBP86.8m         +32.5% 
                               ----------------  ----------------  ------------ 
 
   Adjusted profit before 
   tax(5)                           GBP98.8m          GBP89.7m         +10.2% 
                               ----------------  ----------------  ------------ 
 
   Adjusted diluted EPS(5)            8.0p              7.0p           +14.3% 
                               ----------------  ----------------  ------------ 
 
   EPS                                9.3p              6.8p           +36.8% 
                               ----------------  ----------------  ------------ 
 
   Ordinary dividends(6)              2.7p              2.4p            12.5% 
                               ----------------  ----------------  ------------ 
 

(1) Constant currency comparison involves restating the prior year Euro revenues using the same exchange rate as used to translate the current year Euro revenues.

(2) References in this announcement to the B&M business, includes the B&M fascia stores in the UK except for the 'B&M Express' fascia stores. References in this announcement to the Heron Foods business, includes both the Heron Foods fascia and B&M Express fascia convenience stores in the UK.

(3) Like-for-like revenues relates to the B&M estate only and includes each store's revenue for that part of the current period that falls at least 14 months after it opened; compared with its revenue for the corresponding part of the previous period. This 14 month approach has been taken as it excludes the two month halo period which new stores experience following opening.

(4) The underlying like-for-like calculation excludes the Good Friday Easter week's trading from the previous financial year, as there was no Good Friday Easter week in the current financial year.

(5) The Directors consider adjusted figures to be more reflective of the underlying business performance of the Group and believe that this measure provides additional useful information for investors on the Group's performance. Further details can be found in notes 3 and 5.

(6) Dividends are stated as gross amounts before deduction of Luxembourg withholding tax which is currently 15%.

(7) The H1 FY 2019 figures represent the 26 week performance to 29 September 2018 and the H1 FY2018 figures represent the 26 week performance to 23 September 2017.

(8) For the prior period in FY 2018, Heron Foods was only part of the Group for 8 weeks out of the whole 26 week period. Total Group revenues in the 26 week period to 29 September 2018 excluding Heron Foods were GBP1,387.9m, being an increase of 6.9% compared with the 26 week period to 23 September 2017. The operating costs of the Group for Heron Foods in the 26 week period to 29 September 2018 were GBP45.4m excluding depreciation.

(9) Net capital expenditure includes the purchase of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and proceeds of sale of any of those items.

(10) Net debt was GBP588.4m at the period end. This can be reconciled as GBP637.6m of gross debt (note 10) and GBP8.4m of finance leases, GBP6.9m of overdraft netted against GBP64.5m of cash.

Analyst Meeting & Webcast

An Analyst Meeting in relation to the Interim Results will be held today at 8.30 am (UK) by invitation only at:

Bank of America Merrill Lynch

2 King Edward Street

London

EC1A 1HQ

The meeting can be accessed live via a dial-in facility on:

   UK & International:    +44 (0) 330 336 9105 
   US:                               +1 323 794 2093 

Participant Pin Code: 3218596

A simultaneous audio webcast and presentation slides will be available via the B&M corporate website at www.bandmretail.com

Enquiries

B&M European Value Retail S.A.

For further information please contact +44 (0) 151 728 5400

Simon Arora, Chief Executive

Paul McDonald, Chief Financial Officer

Steve Webb, Investor Relations Director

Investor.relations@bandmretail.com

Media

For media please contact +44 (0) 207 379 5151

Maitland

Daniel Yea

bmstores-maitland@maitland.co.uk

This announcement contains statements which are or may be deemed to be 'forward-looking statements'. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on events or circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. All forward-looking statements in this announcement reflect the Company's present view with respect to future events as at the date of this announcement. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results in future periods may and often do differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. Except where required by law or the Listing Rules of the UK Listing Authority, the Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to any forward-looking statements in this announcement that may occur due to any change in its expectations or to reflect any events or circumstances arising after the date of this announcement.

Notes to editors

B&M European Value Retail S.A. is a variety retailer with 598 stores in the UK operating under the "B&M" brand, 274 stores under the "Heron Foods" and "B&M Express" brands, 90 stores in Germany primarily operating under the "Jawoll" brand, and 95 stores in France operating under the "Babou" brand as at 3 November 2018. It was admitted to the FTSE 250 index in June 2015.

The B&M Group was founded in 1978 and listed on the London Stock Exchange in June 2014. For more information please visit www.bmstores.co.uk

OVERVIEW

The business has made solid progress, both financially and strategically, in the first half of the year. B&M and Heron Foods have carried on rolling out new stores and built a strong future new store pipeline, whilst delivering solid progress in revenues and profits. Work on our large new distribution centre in Bedford is also on track. In Germany the early work by the new management team on improving the Jawoll product offer, aligning it more closely with B&M's, has been received well by customers. We have also taken an important step into another major European market with the acquisition of the Babou chain of 95 stores in France last month.

Financial Performance

Group revenues for the 26 weeks ended 29 September 2018 grew by +16.1% to GBP1,563.0m and by +16.0% on a constant currency basis(1) .

B&M UK

In the B&M store estate in the UK, revenues grew by +7.1% to GBP1,276.7m, (FY18 H1: GBP1,192.0m) with that growth being driven by the continued successful execution of our new store opening programme, with 15 net new stores opened in the first half of the financial year and the annualisation of the net 39 new stores opened in FY2018.

Like-for-like ("LFL") sales in the first half of the year were +0.9% on an underlying basis(4) , excluding the non-comparable Easter week in the prior year. They were flat if no adjustment is made for the non-comparable Easter trading week. The underlying LFL performance of +3.6% in the first quarter was pleasing, but we saw a slowdown in July and August LFL having sold through much of our Gardening and Outdoor product categories earlier than we normally would. Our August end of season sale was much less significant than last year due to limited Gardening and Outdoor product left in stores. LFL sales returned to growth in September as the new Autumn/Winter product ranges were delivered into stores.

There were a total of 22 new store openings and 7 store closures in the first half of FY19. The 7 store closures included 5 relocations as we have continued to take advantage of opportunities presented by the current retail property market to relocate stores to larger and more modern premises, with higher levels of store contribution. As previously indicated, the new store opening programme is weighted to the second half of FY19 and we expect to open at least 58 gross new stores of which 5 will be relocations in the full year. The UK new store performance and returns continue to remain attractive.

Gross margins improved by 53bps relative to last year in the period, with the margin benefitting from reduced levels of clearance activity on Gardening and Outdoor products as a result of the strong sell through in the first quarter following the hot summer that the UK enjoyed. We are however still continuing to see a shift in the sales mix towards the lower margin grocery and FMCG products as the consumer continues to seek value. We expect that this will remain a factor in the second half of the year, as will achieving a satisfactory sell-through of seasonal Winter products.

Operating costs excluding depreciation and amortisation increased by 7.6% to GBP316.1m, (FY18: GBP293.8m) and costs as a percentage of revenues increased by 11bps to 24.8%, and we continue to pro-actively manage our cost base. We have seen some operating leverage in the store cost base with the impact of the National Living Wage having been mitigated by productivity improvements. However, our transport and distribution costs as a percentage of sales have worsened by 25bps as a result of inflationary cost increases in both fuel and staff expenses.

In the B&M business(2) , the adjusted EBITDA(5) increased by 12.1% to GBP120.8m (FY18: GBP107.8m) and the adjusted EBITDA(5) margin increased by 42bps to 9.5%.

Jawoll

In our German business Jawoll, revenues grew to GBP111.2m, which was a +4.1% increase over the GBP106.8m achieved in FY18 (+3.5% in local currency). The increase in sales has been driven by a modest improvement in the like-for-like sales performance and the annualisation of the FY18 new store openings. While awaiting the benefit of greater sourcing from the B&M supply chain, we have only opened 2 new stores in FY19 and both were towards the end of the period.

The first half of the year has been a period of change at Jawoll with the new management team accelerating the changes in the product offer to products sourced from the B&M supply chain on general merchandise lines whilst also clearing old slow-moving stocks to allow the new products to be displayed in store.

The gross margin percentage at Jawoll was impacted by the clearance activity and was 292bps lower than last year at 33.8%, in line with planned levels. The clearance activity has been successful and although there is still some further stock to clear, we would expect to see some margin progression during the second half of the year as the increased mix of B&M sourced products has a positive impact on performance.

The move to increased direct sourcing in Germany has also led to some short term increases in warehousing costs and this, combined with the clearance activity, has resulted in a decrease in the adjusted EBITDA(5) of 80.8% to GBP1.1m (FY18: GBP5.9m).

Heron Foods

Our discount convenience chain, Heron Foods(2) , generated revenues of GBP175.1m, compared to the GBP47.5m achieved in the two months of ownership in FY18(8) . The business continues to perform well and has maintained good like-for-like sales momentum, with the ambient food ranges in particular performing strongly. There have been 4 new store openings this year, increasing the number of stores to 269 at the end of the first half and we expect to have opened at least 20 stores in the full year.

The adjusted EBITDA(5) was GBP9.9m, which compares to the GBP2.4m in the part period of ownership in FY18 and the EBITDA margin improved by 59bps to 5.6%.

Group

The operating costs of the Group in the first half of FY19, excluding depreciation and amortisation, grew by 17.1% to GBP397.9m, including new store pre-opening costs. Depreciation and amortisation expenses grew by 36.9% to GBP21.8m, reflecting the investment in new stores and the additional depreciation on the non-comparable period relating to Heron Foods.

Overall Group adjusted EBITDA(5) increased by 13.5% to GBP131.8m. In the B&M business, the adjusted EBITDA(5) increased by 12.1% to GBP120.8m (FY18: GBP107.8m). In Germany the adjusted EBITDA decreased by 80.8% to GBP1.1m and an additional adjusted EBITDA(5) of GBP7.5m was contributed by Heron Foods.

The net interest charges were GBP11.2m, which compares to GBP10.5m in the same period in FY18, reflecting the increase in UK LIBOR rates on the Group's loan and revolving credit facilities as well as the additional interest charge on the loan facilities that remained in place following the acquisition of Heron Foods in August 2017.

The Group's net capital expenditure was GBP40.3m(9) which was principally driven by the Group's new store opening programme, having opened 28 stores, including relocations across the Group. An additional GBP8.1m has been incurred on freehold store properties in order to secure specific sites, with the intention of entering into sale and lease backs of these properties in early 2019 in keeping with the Group's capital light property strategy. A further GBP1.7m has been incurred on the new Southern warehouse as building works on the site have now commenced.

The cash flow from operations was GBP67.0m, which was an increase of 51.5% from the comparable period last year, with the Group benefitting from the improvement in the EBITDA performance and tight working capital disciplines.

The business continues to de-lever and net debt(10) to adjusted annualised EBITDA was 2.0 times at the end of September 2018, which compares to 2.2 times at the end of September 2017, (this included a pro forma adjustment following the Heron Foods acquisition). This de-leveraging profile is despite the GBP64.8m that has been incurred on freehold stores and the expenditure on the Southern Distribution Centre land and buildings in the last 12 months.

The Group acquired Paminvest SAS in October 2018, which trades under the name of Babou Stores and operates in France, together with its third party distribution services provider, for a combined acquisition price of EUR94.1m and with an EBITDA of EUR24.7m for the year ending January 2018. The acquisition was financed by an additional loan facility secured by the Group with an additional annual interest charge of GBP1.5m. We would expect that the Group would continue to remain below its 2.25 times net debt to adjusted annualised EBITDA leverage target.

Dividend

An interim dividend of 2.7p per Ordinary Share will be paid on 21 December 2018 to shareholders on the register at 23 November 2018 which is an increase of 12.5% on the prior year (FY18: 2.4p). The dividend payment will be subject to a Luxembourg withholding tax of 15%.

Shareholders and Depository Interest holders can obtain further information on the methods of receiving their dividends on our website www.bandmretail.com or by visiting the website of our Registrar, Capita Asset Services at www.capitashareportal.com

Strategic Development

We are excited about the opportunities for B&M to be one of the winners in the structural shift towards value retail which we also see taking place across Europe. Successful, profitable general merchandise discount formats are emerging in major markets as economic pressures and profound changes in retailing provide fertile conditions in which they can grow. In the UK we are already one of the leading value retailers. We now also have a strengthening platform in Germany, as we apply more fully the B&M sourced general merchandise to our Jawoll business there. The recent acquisition of Babou in France provides us with a solid base from which to build out a strong position in another large European consumer market, whilst allowing buying synergies between our German and French retail operations.

   1.   Deliver great value to our shoppers 

B&M's unique sourcing model and low operating costs are vital elements of our competitiveness. We can offer great value to our customers week-in, week-out because of our disciplined approach to keeping our running costs low, buying in large volumes direct from factories and stocking only a limited assortment of the best-selling products at any one time. The B&M model is a profitable one only because of the rigour we apply to keeping costs and therefore prices down. Over the last two years we have worked hard to minimise the impact on our customers of the return of inflation to UK retailing, and they have rewarded us by returning regularly to our stores at a time when many other retailers are experiencing sharp reductions in footfall.

   2.   Investing in new stores 

Whilst our UK store network continues to expand both in our heartland areas and in towns and cities where we are not represented, there remain many areas where we see profitable opportunities for future expansion ahead of us into the long term. Whether we open for the first time in a town or in an area where we are well-established, the customer response remains the same; they will visit and buy regularly from us. That is why our model is profitable and high-returning, and it is also why we see the potential for at least 950 B&M stores (excluding Heron Foods and B&M Express) across the UK from our current base of 591.

We are expanding at a rapid but controlled pace, focused on maintaining the high quality of our stores and sites, which has underpinned our success to date. We opened 22 new stores in the first half of the financial year and the customer response to those stores has been pleasing. This year's new store programme was planned to be more heavily weighted towards the second half of the financial year because of the growing proportion of purpose-built units and we are on track to exceed our initial forecast of 50 new stores (before relocations and closures). We now expect to open at least 58 new stores, offset by the 5 relocations (typically where a lease expiry means we can move to a larger, more profitable unit nearby) and the 2 closures already completed in the first half of the year. Our forward pipeline of new stores also remains strong.

It is now a little over a year since we acquired Heron Foods, which is a complementary brand and format to B&M, because it operates in neighbourhood locations with small catchment sizes and customers who typically walk less than a mile to a store. Heron Foods has continued to perform well and it has fully confirmed our confidence in its ability to expand as it broadens its geographic footprint, as well as providing the infrastructure for B&M stores to broaden its offer successfully into the frozen and chilled food categories. Heron Foods opened 4 new stores in the first half of the financial year and is on track to open a total of 20 in the year as a whole.

In Germany, Jawoll opened just 2 new stores. Given the need for the new management team to focus on the priority of improving the product range, the new store programme has temporarily been slowed down. As the proportion of the range direct-sourced through the B&M supply chain rises, as planned, in the months ahead and as old inventory is cleared from stores and the distribution centre, a modest programme of new store openings will resume. A further 8 new stores are planned in the remainder of the year. Also a strong pipeline of new sites has been secured and the new stores programme can be accelerated from next year when the changes to the ranges are nearing completion.

   3.   Develop our international business 

We have made important progress with our ambition to develop a substantial international business. In Germany, the new management team under Christian Müller has now been in place for several months and they have made significant progress in improving the Jawoll product offer. Inevitably, the need to discontinue slow selling old stock in the business has disrupted trade in the short term. This has reduced profitability in the first half of the financial year, but the early signs are that customers are buying the new products. As the weighting of the new ranges in the mix grows quickly in the months ahead, our confidence is growing that the reshaped offer will resonate well with German consumers.

The acquisition of the 95-strong Babou store chain in France last month gives us a platform to build a business in a third large European consumer market, in which a number of privately-owned but profitable and growing general merchandise discount participants are already doing well. Importantly, we are applying the lessons learned in Germany from the start by having recruited an experienced new CEO, Cedric Mahieu, who has been working already with the B&M team for several months developing a full understanding of our model as well as preparing a comprehensive integration plan for the acquired business. The store base and infrastructure of Babou fits well with our requirements and although some changes will be made to the offer for customers as we apply the B&M approach, the costs associated with these changes have been built into our plans from the outset.

   4.   Investment in our people and infrastructure 

We are now well into the construction phase of the c.1 million square feet Southern Distribution Centre in Bedford which we have invested in to ensure we have sufficient long-term supply chain capacity ahead of us for. The works on new additional facility are on track for opening in May 2019.

We are investing in a digital technology work management system, which will be trialled in our B&M stores initially in the New Year. This enable store managers to plan work schedules for colleagues more efficiently using digital technologies and apps. It is expected to bring productivity gains in FY2020.

We have continued to invest in senior management positions across our business as it continues to grow, with senior Retail Operations and Buying team appointments in B&M in the UK. We have recruited a new CEO for the French business and have a number of senior recruitments taking place in its management teams currently.

Outlook

Trading conditions across the retail sector remain challenging, driven by a combination of sluggish economic growth in our core UK market, profound structural change in the retail industry and the uncertainty around Brexit. In that context though, B&M remains a clear winner and is well-positioned to extend its strong 13 year track record of profitable growth as consumers seek out value.

Much remains to be done in our German business before we can realise the significant potential we see in the German market with Jawoll. We see promising signs that the new management team are making the necessary changes to the product offering successfully. The second half of this financial year will give us an accurate basis to gauge Jawoll's progress, but the early indications, in particular the performance of new B&M-sourced ranges, are encouraging.

I am delighted that after a lengthy period of study, dialogue and negotiation, we have been able to establish a good foothold in a new, large market for the Group with the acquisition of Babou. France offers exciting potential for growth with a profitable existing value retail sector performing well, in which we expect to develop in the years ahead. Babou is a good platform from which B&M can participate in that growth and can pursue further its international ambitions.

In recent months we have met the challenge of trading against last year's exceptionally strong performance, and the effects of a long warm summer which has partly disrupted the normal pattern of trade. While the important Christmas trading period lies ahead, we are well placed to prosper in a difficult and uncertain retail environment.

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

There are a number of risks and uncertainties which could have a material negative impact on the Group's performance over the remainder of the current financial year. These could cause our actual results to materially differ from historical or expected results. The Board does not believe that these risks and uncertainties are materially different to those published in the annual report for the year ended 31 March 2018.

These risks comprise high levels of competition, the broader economic environment and market conditions, failure to comply with laws and regulations, failure to maintain and invest in key infrastructure, inherent risks in international expansion, disruption to key IT systems, cyber security and business continuity, credit risk and liquidity, fluctuations in commodity prices and cost inflation, disruption in supply chain, failure of stock management controls key management reliance, availability of suitable new stores, and regulatory, tax and customs effects generally on the UK's exit from the EU.

Whilst the uncertainties around Brexit are well documented elsewhere, we are relatively better placed than others as our supply chains do not materially depend on trade flows between the UK and continental Europe. We also have currency hedging policies in place to withstand short-term volatility in the value of Sterling against the US Dollar being the principal currency in which we procure goods from the Far East.

Detailed explanations of these risks are set out on pages 26 to 29 of the Annual Report 2018 which is available at www.bandmretail.com

Simon Arora

Chief Executive

13 November 2018

Consolidated statement of Comprehensive Income

 
                                                                              26 weeks     53 weeks 
                                                         26 weeks ended          ended        ended 
                                                           29 September   23 September     31 March 
                                                                   2018           2017         2018 
                                                   Note         GBP'000        GBP'000      GBP'000 
 
Revenue                                             2         1,562,960      1,346,372    3,029,802 
 
Cost of sales                                               (1,033,275)      (890,471)  (2,000,927) 
 
Gross profit                                                    529,685        455,901    1,028,875 
 
Administrative expenses                                       (403,253)      (357,693)    (789,072) 
 
Operating profit                                                126,432         98,208      239,803 
 
Share of profits of investments in associates                       879              -        1,711 
 
Profit on ordinary activities before interest 
 and tax                                                        127,311         98,208      241,514 
 
Finance costs                                                  (12,333)       (11,411)     (23,948) 
Finance income                                                       53             32          182 
Gain on revaluation of financial instrument                           -              -       11,568 
 
Profit on ordinary activities before tax                        115,031         86,829      229,316 
 
Income tax expense                                             (22,087)       (18,490)     (43,511) 
 
Profit for the period                                            92,944         68,339      185,805 
                                                         --------------  -------------  ----------- 
Attributable to non-controlling interests                         (282)            435         (78) 
Attributable to owners of the parent                             93,226         67,904      185,883 
 
Other comprehensive income for the period 
Items that may be subsequently reclassified 
 to profit or loss: 
Exchange differences on retranslation of 
 subsidiary and associate accounts                                1,989          1,636          205 
Fair value movements recorded in the hedging 
 reserve                                                         17,925       (17,004)     (15,659) 
Items that will not be subsequently reclassified 
 to profit or loss: 
Actuarial gain on the defined benefit pension 
 scheme                                                               -              -           21 
 
Tax effect of other comprehensive income                        (2,907)          3,231        2,470 
 
Total comprehensive income for the period                       109,951         56,202      172,842 
                                                         --------------  -------------  ----------- 
Attributable to non-controlling interests                            13            759          119 
Attributable to owners of the parent                            109,938         55,443      172,723 
 
Earnings per share 
Basic earnings attributable to ordinary 
 equity holders (pence)                             5               9.3            6.8         18.6 
Diluted earnings attributable to ordinary 
 equity holders (pence)                             5               9.3            6.8         18.6 
 

All operations are classified as continuing. The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

Consolidated statement of Financial Position

 
                                              29 September  23 September     31 March 
                                                      2018          2017         2018 
                                        Note       GBP'000       GBP'000      GBP'000 
Assets 
Non-current 
Goodwill                                 7         930,279       929,476      929,718 
Intangible assets                        7         121,378       121,009      120,962 
Property, plant and equipment            8         326,981       242,844      308,653 
Investments accounted for using 
 the equity method                                   6,498         4,520        5,140 
Other receivables                                    2,362         3,434        3,187 
Deferred tax asset                                   2,360         6,011        5,654 
                                              ------------  ------------  ----------- 
                                                 1,389,858     1,307,294    1,373,314 
                                              ------------  ------------  ----------- 
Current 
Cash and cash equivalents                           64,523        65,606       90,816 
Inventories                                        601,741       539,260      558,690 
Trade and other receivables                         50,575        67,137       34,042 
Other current financial assets                      16,466         1,508            - 
Income tax receivable                                2,528             -            - 
                                                   735,833       673,511      683,548 
                                              ------------  ------------  ----------- 
 
Total assets                                     2,125,691     1,980,805    2,056,862 
                                              ------------  ------------  ----------- 
 
Equity 
Share capital                            9       (100,056)     (100,048)    (100,056) 
Share premium                                  (2,474,249)   (2,474,131)  (2,474,249) 
Merger reserve                                   1,979,131     1,979,131    1,979,131 
Retained earnings                                (372,677)     (232,794)    (327,073) 
Legal reserve                                     (10,010)      (10,000)     (10,000) 
Put/call option reserve                             13,855        13,855       13,855 
Hedging reserve                                      (486)        15,123       14,532 
Foreign exchange reserve                           (9,527)       (9,137)      (7,833) 
Non-controlling interest                          (13,705)      (14,332)     (13,692) 
                                                 (987,724)     (832,333)    (925,385) 
                                              ------------  ------------  ----------- 
Non-current liabilities 
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings    10      (557,960)     (559,891)    (558,426) 
Finance lease liabilities                          (6,456)       (8,293)      (7,306) 
Other financial liabilities                              -      (29,569)     (19,209) 
Other liabilities                                 (88,388)      (85,794)     (87,130) 
Deferred tax liabilities                          (25,077)      (23,231)     (24,495) 
Provisions                                           (480)       (1,571)        (379) 
                                                 (678,361)     (709,349)    (696,945) 
                                              ------------  ------------  ----------- 
Current liabilities 
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings    10       (75,212)      (71,432)     (47,212) 
Overdrafts                                         (6,934)       (7,941)      (6,112) 
Trade and other payables                         (327,069)     (315,991)    (336,072) 
Finance lease liabilities                          (1,909)       (1,923)      (1,870) 
Other financial liabilities                       (20,980)      (20,135)     (16,666) 
Income tax payable                                (21,768)      (15,864)     (19,677) 
Provisions                                         (5,734)       (5,837)      (6,923) 
                                              ------------  ------------  ----------- 
                                                 (459,606)     (439,123)    (434,532) 
                                              ------------  ------------  ----------- 
 
Total liabilities                              (1,137,967)   (1,148,472)  (1,131,477) 
                                              ------------  ------------  ----------- 
 
Total equity and liabilities                   (2,125,691)   (1,980,805)  (2,056,862) 
                                              ------------  ------------  ----------- 
 

The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of this financial information. The condensed financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 9 November 2018 and signed on their behalf by:

S. Arora, Chief Executive Officer.

Consolidated statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity

 
                                                                                                        Non-     Total 
                                                                                 Foreign  Put/call  control.    Share- 
                   Share      Share  Retained   Hedging     Legal       Merger  exchange    option         .  holders' 
                 capital    premium  earnings   reserve   reserve      reserve   reserve   Reserve  interest    equity 
                 GBP'000    GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000      GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000 
 
Balance at 25 
 March 2017      100,000  2,472,482   204,077   (1,350)    10,000  (1,979,131)     7,825  (13,855)    13,573   813,621 
                --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
 
Dividend 
 payments to 
 owners                -          -  (39,000)         -         -            -         -         -         -  (39,000) 
Effect of 
 share options        48      1,649     (187)         -         -            -         -         -         -     1,510 
                --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Total for 
 transactions 
 with owners          48      1,649  (39,187)         -         -            -         -         -         -  (37,490) 
 
Profit for the 
 period                -          -    67,904         -         -            -         -         -       435    68,339 
Other 
 comprehensive 
 income                -          -         -  (13,773)         -            -     1,312         -       324  (12,137) 
                --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Total 
 comprehensive 
 income for 
 the period            -          -    67,904  (13,773)         -            -     1,312         -       759    56,202 
 
Balance at 23 
 September 
 2017            100,048  2,474,131   232,794  (15,123)    10,000  (1,979,131)     9,137  (13,855)    14,332   832,333 
                --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
 
Dividend 
 payments to 
 owners                -          -  (24,013)         -         -            -         -         -         -  (24,013) 
Effect of 
 share options         8        118       299         -         -            -         -         -         -       425 
                --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Total for 
 transactions 
 with owners           8        118  (23,714)         -         -            -         -         -         -  (23,588) 
                --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
 
Profit for the 
 period                -          -   117,979         -         -            -         -         -     (513)   117,466 
Other 
 comprehensive 
 income                -          -        14       591         -            -   (1,304)         -     (127)     (826) 
                --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Total 
 comprehensive 
 income for 
 the period            -          -   117,993       591         -            -   (1,304)         -     (640)   116,640 
                --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
 
Balance at 31 
 March 2018      100,056  2,474,249   327,073  (14,532)    10,000  (1,979,131)     7,833  (13,855)    13,692   925,385 
                --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
 
Dividend 
 payments to 
 owners                -          -  (48,027)         -         -            -         -         -         -  (48,027) 
Effect of 
 share options         -          -       415         -         -            -         -         -         -       415 
Transfer to 
 legal reserve         -          -      (10)         -        10            -         -         -         -         - 
                --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Total for 
 transactions 
 with owners           -          -  (47,622)         -        10            -         -         -         -  (47,612) 
                --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
 
Profit for the 
 period                -          -    93,226         -         -            -         -         -     (282)    92,944 
Other 
 comprehensive 
 income                -          -         -    15,018         -            -     1,694         -       295    17,007 
                --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
Total 
 comprehensive 
 income for 
 the period            -          -    93,226    15,018         -            -     1,694         -        13   109,951 
                --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
 
Balance at 29 
 September 
 2018            100,056  2,474,249   372,677       486    10,010  (1,979,131)     9,527  (13,855)    13,705   987,724 
                --------  ---------  --------  --------  --------  -----------  --------  --------  --------  -------- 
 

Consolidated statement of Cash Flows

 
 
                                                                            26 weeks    53 weeks 
                                                      26 weeks ended           ended       ended 
                                                        29 September    23 September    31 March 
                                                                2018            2017        2018 
                                              Note           GBP'000         GBP'000     GBP'000 
Cash flows from operating activities 
Cash generated from operations                 11             66,981          44,208     241,993 
Income tax paid                                             (21,548)        (22,174)    (43,996) 
                                                    ----------------  --------------  ---------- 
Net cash flows from operating activities                      45,433          22,034     197,997 
                                                    ----------------  --------------  ---------- 
 
Cash flows from investing activities 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment                   (39,104)        (24,648)   (111,268) 
Purchase of intangible assets                                (1,220)         (2,461)     (3,362) 
Business acquisitions net of cash acquired                         -       (106,436)   (106,436) 
Sale of shares in Home Focus Group                                 -               -         310 
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant 
 and equipment                                                   210             129         554 
Finance income received                                            2              32         182 
Dividends received from associates                                 -           1,149       1,149 
                                                    ----------------  --------------  ---------- 
Net cash flows from investing activities                    (40,112)       (132,235)   (218,871) 
                                                    ----------------  --------------  ---------- 
 
Cash flows from financing activities 
Net receipt of Group revolving bank loans                     28,000          70,000      45,000 
Net repayment of Heron revolving bank loans                  (1,191)         (8,354)     (9,790) 
Finance costs paid                                          (10,257)         (9,881)    (20,192) 
Receipt from exercise of employee share 
 options                                                           -           1,300       1,320 
Capitalised fees on refinancing                                    -         (1,137)     (1,647) 
Dividends paid to owners of the parent                      (48,027)        (39,000)    (63,013) 
Repayment of finance lease                                     (960)           (613)     (1,651) 
                                                    ----------------  --------------  ---------- 
Net cash flows from financing activities                    (32,435)          12,315    (49,973) 
                                                    ----------------  --------------  ---------- 
 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents                   (27,114)        (97,886)    (70,847) 
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning 
 of the period                                                84,704         155,551     155,551 
                                                    ----------------  --------------  ---------- 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of 
 the period                                                   57,589          57,665      84,704 
                                                    ----------------  --------------  ---------- 
 
Cash and cash equivalents comprise: 
Cash at bank and in hand                                      64,523          65,606      90,816 
Overdrafts                                                   (6,934)         (7,941)     (6,112) 
                                                    ----------------  --------------  ---------- 
                                                              57,589          57,665      84,704 
                                                    ----------------  --------------  ---------- 
 

Notes to the financial information

   1          General information and basis of preparation 

The results for the first half of the financial year have not been audited and are prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the Group's last set of consolidated accounts released by the ultimate controlling party, B&M European Value Retail S.A. (the "company"), a company listed on the London Stock Exchange and incorporated in Luxembourg.

The financial information has been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority (DTR) and with International Accounting Standard (IAS) 34 - "Interim Financial Reporting" as endorsed by the European Union.

The Group's trade is general retail, with trading taking place in the UK and Germany.

The principal accounting policies have remained unchanged from the prior financial information for the Group for the period to 31 March 2018, except that at the start of the financial year the Group adopted IFRS 15 ' Revenue from contracts with customers' and IFRS 9 'Financial Instruments', neither of which has had any impact on the comparative information.

The financial statements for B&M European Value Retail S.A. for the period to 31 March 2018 have been reported on by the Group auditor and delivered to the Luxembourg Registrar of Companies. The audit report was unqualified.

The financial information is presented in pounds sterling and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand (GBP'000), except when otherwise indicated.

This consolidated financial information does not constitute statutory financial statements.

Basis of consolidation

This Group financial information consolidates the financial information of the company and its subsidiary undertakings together with the Group's share of the net assets and results of associated undertakings for the period from 1 April 2018 to 29 September 2018. Acquisitions of subsidiaries are dealt with by the acquisition method of accounting. The results of companies acquired are included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income from the acquisition date.

Control is achieved when the Group is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee.

Specifically, the Group controls an investee if and only if the Group has:

-- Power over the investee (i.e. existing rights that give it the current ability to direct the relevant activities of the investee)

   --     Exposure, or rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee, and 
   --     The ability to use its power over the investee to affect its returns 

When the Group has less than a majority of the voting or similar rights of an investee, the Group considers all relevant facts and circumstances in assessing whether it has power over an investee, including:

   --     The contractual arrangement with the other vote holders of the investee 
   --     Rights arising from other contractual arrangements 
   --     The Group's voting rights and potential voting rights 

The Group re-assesses whether or not it controls an investee if facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes to one or more of the three elements of control. Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Group obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Group loses control of the subsidiary. Assets, liabilities, income and expenses of a subsidiary acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the statement of comprehensive income from the date the Group gains control until the date the Group ceases to control the subsidiary, excluding the situations as outlined in the basis of preparation.

Going concern

The directors report that, having reviewed current performance and forecasts, they are satisfied that the Group has sufficient resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable future, being for a period of not less than 12 months from the date of this report. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the condensed financial statements.

Critical judgments and key sources of estimation uncertainty

The key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date, that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year, are described below. The Group based its assumptions and estimates on parameters available when the financial information was prepared. Existing circumstances and assumptions about future developments, however, may change due to market changes or circumstances arising beyond the control of the Group. Such changes are reflected in the assumptions when they occur.

Impairment of non-financial assets

Impairment exists when the carrying value of an asset or cash generating unit exceeds its recoverable amount, which is the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use.

The value in use calculation is based on a discounted cash flow model. The cash flows are derived from the budget for the next five years and do not include restructuring activities that the Group is not yet committed to or significant future investments that will enhance the performance of the CGU being tested.

The recoverable amount is most sensitive to the discount rate used for the discounted cash flow model as well as the expected future cash inflows and the growth rate used for extrapolation purposes. The key assumptions used to determine the recoverable amount for the different CGUs, including a sensitivity analysis, have been disclosed in the company's annual report.

Investments in Associates

Multi-lines International Company Ltd (Multi-lines), which is 50% owned by the Group, has been considered by management to be an associate rather than a subsidiary or a joint venture. Under IFRS 10 control is determined by:

   --     Power over the investee. 
   --     Exposure, or rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee. 

-- The ability to use its power over the investee to affect the amount of the investor's returns.

Although 50% owned, B&M Group does not have voting rights or substantive rights. Therefore the level of power over the business is considered to be more in keeping with that of an associate than a joint-venture, and hence it has been treated as such within these consolidated financial statements.

Put/call options on Jawoll non-controlling interest

The purchase agreement for Jawoll in April 2014 included call and put options over the shares not purchased by the Group, representing 20% of Jawoll. The options are arranged such that it is considered likely that either the call or put option will be taken at the exercise date in 2019.

The exercise price of the options contain a variable element and as such the risk and rewards of the options are considered to remain with the non-controlling interest. The purchase of the non-controlling interest will be recognised upon exercise of one of the options.

A financial liability has been recognised carried at amortised cost to represent the expected exercise price, with the corresponding debit entry to the put/call option reserve. Management have estimated the future measurement inputs in arriving at this value, using knowledge of current performance, expected growth and planned strategy. Any subsequent movements in the liability will be recognised in profit or loss.

Standards and interpretations applied and not yet applied by the Group

IFRS 9 'Financial instruments'

IFRS 9 sets out requirements for recognising and measuring financial assets, financial liabilities and some contracts to buy or sell non-financial items. This standard replaces IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. IFRS 9 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018 and simplifies the classification of financial assets for measurement purposes.

The Group has applied IFRS 9 from 1 April 2018. There is no impact on the income statement or balance sheet from the adoption of IFRS 9.

Accounting policy for Financial Instruments

IFRS 9 eliminates the previous IAS 39 category for financial assets of loans and receivables. Under IFRS 9, on initial recognition, a financial asset is classified as measured at: amortised cost, fair value through profit or loss or fair value though other comprehensive income.

A financial asset is measured at amortised cost if it meets both of the following conditions: it is held within a business model whose objective is to hold assets to collect contractual cash flows; and its contractual terms give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding. Under IFRS 9 trade receivables, without a significant financing component, are classified and held at amortised cost, being initially measured at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost less any impairment loss.

IFRS 9 introduces an 'expected loss' model ('ECL') for recognising impairment of financial assets held at amortised cost. The Group has elected to measure loss allowances for trade receivables at an amount equal to lifetime ECLs. Credit losses are measured as the present value of all cash shortfalls (i.e. the difference between the cash flows due to the entity in accordance with the contract and the cash flows that the Group expects to receive).

When determining whether the credit risk of a financial asset has increased significantly since initial recognition and when estimating expected credit losses, the Group considers reasonable and supportable information that is relevant and available without undue cost or effort. This includes both quantitative and qualitative information and analysis based on the Group's historical experience and informed credit assessment and including forward-looking information. The Group performs the calculation of expected credit losses separately for each customer group.

The Group assesses whether a financial asset is in default on a case by case basis when it becomes probable that the customer is unlikely to pay its credit obligations.

IFRS 15 'Revenue from Contracts with Customers'

IFRS 15 establishes a comprehensive framework for determining whether, how much and when revenue is recognised. It replaced IAS 18 Revenue and related interpretations.

The Group has applied IFRS 15 from 1 April 2018 using the cumulative effective method (without practical expedients), with the effect of initially applying this standard being recognised at the date of initial application (1 April 2018). Comparative information has therefore not been restated.

Under IAS 18 revenue was recognised either over time where there was continuing service provided to the customer or at the point in time when the risks and rewards of ownership transferred to the customer. Under IFRS 15 revenue is recognised when performance obligations are satisfied. For the Group the transfer of control under IFRS 15 and satisfaction of performance obligations remains consistent with the transfer of risks and rewards to the customer under IAS18. Consequently, there were no profit or loss impacting adjustments required on application of IFRS 15.

Accounting policy for Revenue recognition

Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and is recognised at the initial point of sale goods to the customers, when the risks and rewards of the ownership of the goods has passed to the buyer. Revenue is stated net of discounts, rebates, refunds and value-added tax.

Revenue principally represents the amounts receivable from customers for goods supplied. The vast majority of goods are supplied immediately at the point of sale in a retail store environment, and therefore performance obligations are considered to have been met at the point of sale.

IFRS 16 'Leases'

IFRS 16 Leases will be applicable for periods starting after 1 January 2019 and will apply to the Group's accounts commencing 31 March 2019. This standard will significantly affect the presentation of the Group financial statements as we have over 900 active property leases (primarily related to the Group's store estate) as well as a smaller commitment for other operating leases.

The Group has considered the implications of IFRS 16 on the Group's consolidated results and has developed a model to account for changes required to be made by the new standard.

Whilst the detailed data has not been audited, the overall model has been reviewed by the Group auditors including the assumptions and the calculations within the model.

At this stage, and subject to several factors, including the accounting definition of the retrospective application of cash flows, the impact of the Group's past restructuring, the finalisation of specific discount rates and auditor approval, we expect to use either the full retrospective or modified retrospective approach.

Both methods will lead to a significant brought forward retained earnings adjustment representing the recognition of a liability that exceeds the recognised asset.

Specifically;

Our Statement of Financial Position will include a liability equal to the present value of all future lease commitments and a corresponding right-of-use asset. Due to discounting it is expected that the liability will be significantly in excess of the asset. Our gross operating lease commitment as at March 2018 was GBP1,257.8m, GBP1,239.1m of which is in relation to property leases. Our net deferred property liability (GBP98.8m at March 2018) would also be derecognised.

Our Statement of Comprehensive Income will have a significantly reduced rental charge, but increased amortisation and interest charge related to the unwinding of the lease liability. Overall the amortisation and interest increase is expected to exceed the reduction in rent in the first years of application. Our rental charge for 2017/18 was GBP150.5m, GBP140.9m of which relates to property leases.

Whilst cash flows themselves are not affected, there will also be subsequent knock-on effects to the presentation of the Statement of Cash Flows.

   2          Segmental information 

IFRS 8 ("Operating segments") requires the Group's segments to be identified on the basis of internal reports about the components of the Group that are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker to assess performance and allocate resources across each reporting segment.

For management purposes, the Group is organised into three reportable segments, being the UK B&M segment, the UK Heron segment and the German retail segment. The UK Heron segment has been active since the acquisition of Heron Food Group in August 2017.

Items that fall into the corporate category include those related to the Luxembourg or associate entities, Group financing, corporate transactions, any tax adjustments and items we consider to be adjusting (see note 3).

The chief operating decision maker has been identified as the executive directors who monitor the operating results of the retail segments for the purpose of making decisions about resource allocation and performance assessment.

The average euro rate for translation purposes was EUR1.1310 during the period, with the period end rate being EUR1.1228 (March 2018: EUR1.1336/GBP and EUR1.1410; September 2017: EUR1.1377/GBP and EUR1.1332/GBP respectively).

 
 26 week period to 29 September           UK         UK    Germany 
  2018                                   B&M      Heron     Retail   Corporate         Total 
                                     GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000     GBP'000       GBP'000 
 
 Revenue                           1,276,697    175,062    111,201           -     1,562,960 
 EBITDA                              122,303      9,894      1,119      15,794       149,110 
 Depreciation and amortisation      (14,629)    (4,866)    (2,302)         (2)      (21,799) 
 Net finance imcome/(costs)               31      (365)      (129)    (11,817)      (12,280) 
 Income tax (expense)/credit        (20,464)      (886)        394     (1,131)      (22,087) 
 Segment profit/(loss)                87,241      3,777      (918)       2,844        92,944 
 
 Total assets                      1,696,640    215,974    134,781      78,286     2,125,691 
 Total liabilities                 (345,722)   (59,761)   (35,397)   (697,087)   (1,137,967) 
 Capital expenditure (including 
  intangible)                       (31,713)    (5,357)    (1,535)     (1,719)      (40,324) 
 
 
 26 week period to 23 September           UK         UK    Germany 
  2017                                   B&M      Heron     Retail   Corporate         Total 
                                     GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000     GBP'000       GBP'000 
 
 Revenue                           1,192,617     47,521    106,836       (602)     1,346,372 
 EBITDA                              108,221      2,395      5,909     (2,390)       114,135 
 Depreciation and amortisation      (12,344)    (1,387)    (2,193)         (3)      (15,927) 
 Net finance income/(costs)               11      (122)      (176)    (11,092)      (11,379) 
 Income tax (expense)/credit        (18,219)      (168)    (1,062)         959      (18,490) 
 Segment profit/(loss)                77,669        718      2,478    (12,526)        68,339 
 
 Total assets                      1,635,070    200,597    132,713      12,425     1,980,805 
 Total liabilities                 (340,996)   (55,681)   (27,266)   (724,529)   (1,148,472) 
 Capital expenditure (including 
  intangible)                       (22,970)    (1,716)    (2,423)           -      (27,109) 
 
 
 53 week period to 31 March               UK         UK    Germany 
  2018                                   B&M      Heron     Retail   Corporate         Total 
                                     GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000     GBP'000       GBP'000 
 
 Revenue                           2,619,488    210,008    200,306           -     3,029,802 
 EBITDA                              266,269     11,746      5,621     (5,240)       278,396 
 Depreciation and amortisation      (26,485)    (6,001)    (4,392)         (4)      (36,882) 
 Net finance costs                       109      (481)      (370)    (11,456)      (12,198) 
 Income tax expense                 (45,580)    (1,000)      (258)       3,327      (43,511) 
 Segment profit/(loss)               194,313      4,264        601    (13,373)       185,805 
 
 Total assets                      1,718,328    204,162    127,078       7,294     2,056,862 
 Total liabilities                 (361,834)   (56,909)   (27,287)   (685,447)   (1,131,477) 
 Capital expenditure (including 
  intangible)                       (45,986)    (8,610)    (4,987)    (55,047)     (114,630) 
 
   3          Reconciliation of non-IFRS measures from the statement of comprehensive income 

EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Profit are non-IFRS measures and therefore we provide a reconciliation to the statement of comprehensive income below.

 
                                                26 weeks ended  26 weeks ended  53 weeks ended 
                                                  29 September    23 September        31 March 
Period to                                                 2018            2017            2018 
                                                       GBP'000         GBP'000         GBP'000 
 
Profit on ordinary activities before 
 interest and tax                                      127,311          98,208         241,514 
Add back depreciation and amortisation                  21,799          15,927          36,882 
                                                --------------  --------------  -------------- 
EBITDA                                                 149,110         114,135         278,396 
Reverse the effect of ineffective derivatives         (17,322)             928           3,825 
 
Remove costs associated with the acquisition 
 of Heron                                                    -           1,000           1,049 
Adjusted EBITDA                                        131,788         116,063         283,270 
Depreciation and amortisation                         (21,799)        (15,927)        (36,882) 
Net finance costs                                     (12,280)        (11,379)        (12,198) 
Reverse the effects of revaluing the 
 call/put option                                             -               -        (11,568) 
Reverse the effect of unwinding of 
 deferred acquisition costs                              1,073             900           2,170 
Adjusted profit before tax                              98,782          89,657         224,792 
Adjusted tax                                          (18,902)        (18,856)        (44,437) 
                                                --------------  --------------  -------------- 
Adjusted profit for the period                          79,880          70,801         180,355 
                                                --------------  --------------  -------------- 
Attributable to non-controlling interests                (282)             435            (78) 
Attributable to owners of the parent                    80,162          70,366         180,433 
 

The adjusting items are the effects of derivatives, one-off refinancing fees and the effects of revaluing or unwinding balances related to the acquisition of subsidiaries, such as the call/put option held over the non-controlling interest of our German operation. Significant project costs may also be included, if incurred, as they were in the prior year in relation to the purchase of Heron. Adjusted tax represents the tax charge per the statement of comprehensive income as adjusted only for the effects of the other adjusting items detailed above.

All adjusting items relate to the Corporate segment.

Adjusted EBITDA and related measures are not measures of performance or liquidity under IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of profit, or as an indicator of the Group's operating performance or cash flows from operating activities as determined in accordance with IFRS.

   4          Business combinations 

In the prior year, on 2 August 2017, the Group acquired Heron Food Group Limited ("Heron"), a discount convenience retailer incorporated in the UK. The transaction was accounted for via the acquisition method of accounting. The Group purchased 100% of the share capital, for a fair value of GBP122.5m, which breaks down as follows:

 
                                       GBP'000 
Initial cash consideration             112,123 
Fair value of deferred consideration    10,422 
                                       ------- 
Total                                  122,545 
                                       ------- 
 

The deferred consideration represents a cash amount of GBP12.8m payable in 2019 based upon certain conditions. An exercise carried out by the business has fair valued this at the acquisition date at GBP10.4m and this will be unwound through the P&L to the full value of GBP12.8m by August 2019.

The effect of the acquisition on the Group can be seen in the segment note (note 2). Further details, including the fair values of the identifiable assets and liabilities of Heron, have been disclosed in the Group's 2018 Annual Report.

   5          Earnings per share 

Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the net profit for the financial period attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding at each period end.

Diluted earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing the net profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during each year plus the weighted average number of ordinary shares that would be issued on conversion of any dilutive potential ordinary shares into ordinary shares.

Adjusted basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated on the same basis except using the adjusted profit or loss attributable to the equity holders of the parent, as defined in note 3.

There are share option schemes in place which have a dilutive effect on all periods presented.

The following reflects the income and share data used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations:

 
 Period to                                      29 September   24 September    31 March 
                                                        2018           2017        2018 
                                                     GBP'000        GBP'000     GBP'000 
 
 Profit for the period attributable to 
  ordinary equity holders of the Group                93,226         67,904     185,833 
 Adjusted profit for the period attributable 
  to ordinary equity holders of the Group             80,162         70,366     180,433 
                                               -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 
                                                   Thousands      Thousands   Thousands 
 Weighted average number of ordinary 
  shares for basic loss per share                  1,000,561      1,000,120   1,000,353 
 Effect of dilution: 
 Employee share options                                  401            219         298 
                                                                             ---------- 
 Weighted average number of ordinary 
  shares adjusted for the effect of dilution       1,000,962      1,000,339   1,000,651 
                                               -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 
                                                       Pence          Pence       Pence 
 Basic earnings per share                                9.3            6.8        18.6 
 Diluted earnings per share                              9.3            6.8        18.6 
 Adjusted basic earnings per share                       8.0            7.0        18.0 
 Adjusted diluted earnings per share                     8.0            7.0        18.0 
                                               -------------  -------------  ---------- 
 
   6          Taxation 

The taxation charge for the interim period has been calculated on the basis of the corporation tax rate for the full year of 19% (UK) and 30% (Germany) and then adjusted for allowances and non-deductibles in line with the prior year.

   7          Intangible assets 
 
                                      Goodwill  Software   Brands    Other      Total 
                                       GBP'000   GBP'000  GBP'000  GBP'000    GBP'000 
Cost or valuation 
At 25 March 2017                       841,691     4,620  100,047    1,494    947,852 
Additions                                    -       711    1,750        -      2,461 
Additions due to Heron acquisition      87,101     1,305   14,178        -    102,584 
Effect of retranslation                    684         7      104       30        825 
At 23 September 2017                   929,476     6,643  116,079    1,524  1,053,722 
Additions                                    -       901        -        -        901 
Adjustment to Heron acquisition            479         -        -        -        479 
Disposals                                    -     (289)        -        -      (289) 
Effect of retranslation                  (237)       (4)     (36)     (10)      (287) 
                                      --------  --------  -------  -------  --------- 
At 31 March 2018                       929,718     7,251  116,043    1,514  1,054,526 
Additions                                    -       969      250        1      1,220 
Disposals                                    -      (12)        -        -       (12) 
Effect of retranslation                    561         9       84       24        678 
                                      --------  --------  -------  -------  --------- 
At 29 September 2018                   930,279     8,217  116,377    1,539  1,056,412 
                                      --------  --------  -------  -------  --------- 
 
 
Accumulated amortisation / impairment 
At 25 March 2017                             -     1,425        -    1,043      2,468 
Charge for the period                        -       627        3      113        743 
Effect of retranslation                      -         5        -       21         26 
At 23 September 2017                         -     2,057        3    1,177      3,237 
Charge for the period                        -       809       10       90        909 
Disposals                                    -     (289)        -        -      (289) 
Effect of retranslation                      -       (2)        -      (9)       (11) 
                                      --------  --------  -------  -------  --------- 
At 31 March 2018                             -     2,575       13    1,258      3,846 
Charge for the period                        -       823       10       52        885 
Disposals                                    -       (2)        -        -        (2) 
Effect of retranslation                      -         5        -       21         26 
                                      --------  --------  -------  -------  --------- 
At 29 September 2018                         -     3,401       23    1,331      4,755 
                                      --------  --------  -------  -------  --------- 
 
Net book value at 29 September 2018    930,279     4,816  116,354      208  1,051,657 
                                      --------  --------  -------  -------  --------- 
Net book value at 31 March 2018        929,718     4,676  116,030      256  1,050,680 
                                      --------  --------  -------  -------  --------- 
Net book value at 23 September 2017    929,476     4,586  116,076      347  1,050,485 
                                      --------  --------  -------  -------  --------- 
 

An impairment review was carried out over the Goodwill and Brand assets with indefinite life at 31 March 2018. Details of these reviews are included in the Group statutory accounts. A full review will also take place at the next year end date of 30 March 2019.

   8          Property, plant and equipment 
 
                                                                                           Plant, 
                                      Land and buildings  Motor Vehicles   fixtures and equipment    Total 
                                                 GBP'000         GBP'000                  GBP'000  GBP'000 
Cost or valuation 
At 25 March 2017                                  46,250           3,485                  183,910  233,645 
Additions                                          6,878             407                   17,363   24,648 
Additions due to Heron acquisition                31,388           5,787                   30,124   67,299 
Disposals                                           (64)           (821)                    (156)  (1,041) 
Effect of retranslation                              471               8                      297      776 
At 23 September 2017                              84,923           8,866                  231,538  325,327 
Additions                                         51,219           4,086                   31,315   86,620 
Disposals                                          (442)           (492)                  (4,024)  (4,958) 
Effect of retranslation                            (165)             (3)                    (133)    (301) 
At 31 March 2018                                 135,535          12,457                  258,696  406,688 
Additions                                         11,506           2,653                   24,945   39,104 
Disposals                                          (112)           (669)                    (828)  (1,609) 
Effect of retranslation                              389               9                      310      708 
                                      ------------------  --------------  -----------------------  ------- 
29 September 2018                                147,318          14,450                  283,123  444,891 
                                      ------------------  --------------  -----------------------  ------- 
 
Accumulated depreciation 
At 25 March 2017                                  12,685           1,796                   53,416   67,897 
Charge for the period                              2,178             481                   12,525   15,184 
Disposals                                            (1)           (722)                     (32)    (755) 
Effect of retranslation                               77               3                       77      157 
                                      ------------------  --------------  -----------------------  ------- 
At 23 September 2017                              14,939           1,558                   65,986   82,483 
Charge for the period                              2,429           1,078                   16,540   20,047 
Disposals                                          (180)           (384)                  (3,848)  (4,412) 
Effect of retranslation                             (36)             (1)                     (46)     (83) 
At 31 March 2018                                  17,152           2,251                   78,632   98,035 
Charge for the period                              2,469           1,265                   17,180   20,914 
Disposals                                          (103)           (524)                    (608)  (1,235) 
Effect of retranslation                               89               2            105                196 
                                      ------------------  --------------  -----------------------  ------- 
At 29 September 2018                              19,607           2,994                   95,309  117,910 
                                      ------------------  --------------  -----------------------  ------- 
 
Net book value at 29 September 2018              127,711          11,456                  187,814  326,981 
                                      ------------------  --------------  -----------------------  ------- 
Net book value at 31 March 2018                  118,383          10,206                  180,064  308,653 
                                      ------------------  --------------  -----------------------  ------- 
Net book value at 23 September 2017               69,984           7,308                  165,552  242,844 
                                      ------------------  --------------  -----------------------  ------- 
 
   9          Share capital 
 
                                           Nominal      Number of 
                                             value         shares 
Allotted, called up and fully paid         GBP'000 
B&M European Value Retail S.A. Ordinary 
 shares of 10p each; 
As at 25 March 2017                        100,000  1,000,000,000 
Exercise of employee share options              48        479,782 
                                           -------  ------------- 
As at 23 September 2017                    100,048  1,000,479,782 
Exercise of employee share options               8         81,440 
                                           -------  ------------- 
As at 31 March 2018 and 29 September 
 2018                                      100,056  1,000,561,222 
                                           -------  ------------- 
 

Ordinary Shares

Each ordinary share ranks pari passu with each other ordinary share and each share carries one vote. The Group parent is authorised to release up to a maximum of 2,971,661,000 (2017: 2,972,222,222) ordinary shares.

The outstanding share options can be summarised as follows;

 
                                              29 September  23 September  31 March 
                                                      2018          2017      2018 
 
Vested, available to exercise                       11,049        92,489    11,049 
Vested, not available to exercise (in 
 holding period)                                    72,093             -         - 
Awarded, not vested (subject to conditions)      1,430,597       829,006   832,197 
                                              ------------  ------------  -------- 
Total outstanding share options                  1,513,739       921,495   843,246 
                                              ------------  ------------  -------- 
 

For the dilutive effect of these, see note 5.

   10         Financial liabilities - borrowings 
 
                                 29 September  23 September  31 March 
                                         2018          2017      2018 
                                      GBP'000       GBP'000   GBP'000 
Current 
Revolving facility bank loan           73,000        70,000    45,000 
Heron loan facilities - Melton            807           807       807 
Heron loan facilities - Offset            605           625       605 
Heron loan facilities - Term              800             -       800 
                                 ------------  ------------  -------- 
                                       75,212        71,432    47,212 
                                 ------------  ------------  -------- 
 
Non-current 
UK Holdco term loan A                 297,695       296,866   297,288 
High yield bond notes                 247,876       247,228   247,558 
Heron loan facilities - Melton          4,755         5,647     5,243 
Heron loan facilities - Offset          3,664         4,250     3,967 
Heron loan facilities - Term            3,970         5,900     4,370 
                                 ------------  ------------  -------- 
                                      557,960       559,891   558,426 
                                 ------------  ------------  -------- 
 

All borrowings are held in Sterling.

The term facility bank loans and high yield bonds are held at amortised cost and were initially capitalised in February 2017 with GBP3.2m and GBP3.3m (respectively) of fees attributed to them.

The Heron loan facilities were brought into the Group as part of the acquired balance sheet on 2 August 2017. All are held with Handelsbanken and are carried at their gross cash amount. Further details are in the maturity table below.

The maturities of the above loan facilities are as follows:

 
                               Interest            29 September  23 September  31 March 
                                   Rate  Maturity          2018          2017      2018 
                                      %                 GBP'000       GBP'000   GBP'000 
 
Revolving facility bank 
 loans                    2.00% + LIBOR  Oct-2018        73,000        70,000    45,000 
UK Holdco term loan 
 A                        2.00% + LIBOR  Jul-2021       300,000       300,000   300,000 
High yield bond notes            4.125%  Feb-2022       250,000       250,000   250,000 
Heron loan facilities 
 - Melton                 2.25% + LIBOR  Jul-2025         5,562         6,453     6,050 
Heron loan facilities 
 - Offset                 2.45% + LIBOR  Sep-2022         4,269         4,875     4,572 
Heron loan facilities 
 - Term                   2.50% + LIBOR  Dec-2021         4,770         5,900     5,170 
                                                   ------------  ------------  -------- 
                                                        637,601       637,228   610,792 
                                                   ------------  ------------  -------- 
 
   11         Reconciliation of profit before tax to cash generated from operations 
 
                                             26 weeks ended  26 weeks ended 23 September 2017  53 weeks ended 31 March 
                                          29 September 2018                                                       2018 
                                                    GBP'000                           GBP'000                  GBP'000 
 
Profit before tax                                   115,031                            86,829                  229,316 
Adjustments for: 
Interest expense                                     12,280                            11,379                   12,198 
Depreciation                                         20,914                            15,184                   35,231 
Amortisation of intangible assets                       885                               743                    1,652 
Loss on disposal of property, plant and 
 equipment                                              172                               156                      277 
Charge on share options                                 415                               210                      615 
Change in inventories                              (42,471)                         (207,885)                 (79,099) 
Change in trade and other receivables              (12,475)                            14,360                  (1,168) 
Change in trade and other payables                  (8,525)                           122,225                   39,377 
Change in provisions                                (1,088)                                86                    1,511 
Share of profit from associates                       (879)                                 -                  (1,711) 
Non-cash foreign exchange effect from 
 retranslation of subsidiary cash flows                  44                               (6)                     (31) 
(Profit)/loss resulting from fair value 
 of financial derivatives                          (17,322)                               927                    3,825 
                                         ------------------  --------------------------------  ----------------------- 
Cash generated from operations                       66,981                            44,208                  241,993 
                                         ------------------  --------------------------------  ----------------------- 
 
   12         Financial instruments 

The fair value of the financial assets and liabilities of the Group are not materially different from their carrying value. Refer to the table below.

 
                                                               29 September  23 September  31 March 
As at                                                                  2018          2017      2018 
Financial assets:                                                   GBP'000       GBP'000   GBP'000 
Fair value through profit and loss 
Fuel price swap                                                           -            43         - 
Forward foreign exchange contracts                                   15,583             -         - 
Fair value through other comprehensive income 
Forward foreign exchange contracts                                      883         1,465         - 
Loans and receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents                                            64,523        65,606    90,816 
Trade receivables                                                     8,274        26,348     5,046 
Other receivables                                                     3,291         1,150     1,324 
                                                               ------------  ------------  -------- 
 
Financial liabilities: 
Fair value through profit and loss 
Forward foreign exchange contracts                                      280             -       923 
Put/call options over the non-controlling interest of Jawoll          8,720        18,974     8,076 
Deferred consideration relating to Heron purchase                    11,697        10,595    11,133 
Fair value through other comprehensive income 
Forward foreign exchange contracts                                      283        20,135    15,743 
Amortised cost 
Overdrafts                                                            6,934         7,941     6,112 
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings                               633,172       631,323   603,426 
Trade payables                                                      254,161       243,936   276,569 
Other payables                                                       11,849         9,720     7,796 
                                                               ------------  ------------  -------- 
 

Financial Instruments at fair value through profit and loss

The put/call options over the non-controlling interest in Jawoll arose as part of the acquisition of the entity in April 2014. The valuation here reflects the final estimated valuation unwound to the period end date, and exchanged at the period end foreign exchange rate, as the options are priced in Euros. The options mature in 2019 and the carrying value has been discounted to present value.

The deferred consideration relates to the acquisition of Heron. The valuation at year end reflects management's expectation that the full amount of GBP12.8m will be payable in 2019. The carrying value has been discounted to present value.

The other financial assets and liabilities through profit or loss reflect the fair value of those foreign exchange forward contracts, interest rate swaps and fuel swaps that are intended to reduce the level of risk for expected sales and purchases.

Fair value hierarchy

The Group uses the following hierarchy for determining and disclosing the fair value of financial instruments by valuation technique:

   --     Level 1 : quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities 

-- Level 2 : Other techniques for which all inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, either directly or indirectly

-- Level 3 : Techniques which use inputs that have a significant effect on the recorded fair value that are not based on observable market data

As at the reporting dates, the Group held the following financial instruments carried at fair value on the balance sheet:

 
                                                         Total  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
                                                       GBP'000  GBP'000   GBP'000   GBP'000 
 
29 September 2018 
Foreign exchange contracts                              15,903        -    15,903         - 
Put/call options on Jawoll non-controlling interest    (8,720)        -         -   (8,720) 
Deferred consideration relating to Heron purchase     (11,697)        -         -  (11,697) 
 
23 September 2017 
Foreign exchange contracts                            (18,670)        -  (18,670)         - 
Fuel swap contract                                          43        -        43         - 
Put/call options on Jawoll non-controlling interest   (18,974)        -         -  (18,974) 
Deferred consideration relating to Heron purchase     (10,595)        -         -  (10,595) 
 
31 March 2018 
Foreign exchange contracts                            (16,666)        -  (16,666)         - 
Put/call options on Jawoll non-controlling interest    (8,076)        -         -   (8,076) 
Deferred consideration in relation to Heron           (11,133)        -         -  (11,133) 
 

The put/call option (relating to Jawoll) and the deferred consideration (relating to Heron) are valued with reference to the respective Sale and Purchase Agreements underpinning the acquisitions, and the key variable in determining the fair values is the forecast EBITDA of those entities as prepared by management. The calculation is subsequently discounted to present value.

The other instruments have been valued by the issuing bank, using a mark to market method. The bank has used various inputs to compute the valuations and these include inter alia the relevant maturity date and strike rates, the current exchange rate, fuel prices and LIBOR levels.

The Group's financial instruments are either carried at fair value or have a carrying value which is considered a reasonable approximation of fair value.

   13         Related party transactions 

There have been no changes in the related-party transactions described in the last annual report of B&M European Value Retail S.A. that have had a material effect on the financial position or performance of the Group in the six months ended 29 September 2018.

The Group has entered into material related party transactions over the current 26-week period with the following party, Multi-lines International Company Ltd (Multi-lines), a supplier, which is an associate of the Group.

 
                            26 weeks ended  26 weeks ended  53 weeks ended 
                              29 September    23 September        31 March 
                                      2018            2017            2018 
                                   GBP'000         GBP'000         GBP'000 
Purchases from associates 
Multi-lines                         56,495          46,486         146,360 
 

The following table sets out the total amount of net trading balances with Multi-lines outstanding at the period end.

 
                                   29 September  23 September  31 March 
                                           2018          2017      2018 
                                        GBP'000       GBP'000   GBP'000 
Net trade receivables/(payables) 
 from associates 
Multi-lines                               1,389        10,206   (9,586) 
                                   ------------  ------------  -------- 
 

Outstanding trade balances at the balance sheet date are unsecured and interest free and settlement occurs in cash. There have been no guarantees provided or received for any related party trade receivables or payables.

   14         Commitments 

At the half year date a significant capital commitment exists in terms of the build of the new southern warehouse, with the building expected to be handed over in May 2019, at which point work upon the internal fit out will commence

   15         Post balance sheet events 

An interim dividend of 2.7 pence per share (GBP27.0m) has been proposed.

As announced on 19 October 2018 the Group, via the subsidiary company EV Retail Limited, acquired the entire issued share capital of Paminvest SAS, a discount general merchandise retailer group operating with a chain of 95 stores under the trading name Babou in France, together with its third party distribution service provider, for a total enterprise value of EUR94.1m.

The transaction was entirely debt financed, resulting in a new EUR100m loan facility held within the Group company B&M European Value Retail 4 Ltd. The loan facility has a maximum term of two years.

Under French GAAP, for the year ended 31 January 2018, the Babou Stores group had net assets of EUR158.8m, delivered revenues of EUR347.1m and profit before tax of EUR0.1m. The business will be fully consolidated into the Group from the date of acquisition, and further disclosures will be made in our next annual report.

There have been no other material events between the balance sheet date and the date of issue of these accounts.

   16         Directors 

The directors that served during the period were:

Name

P Bamford (Chairman)

S Arora (CEO)

P McDonald (CFO)

T Hübner

R McMillan

K Guion

H Brouwer (Retiring 14 November 2018)

T Hall (Appointed 18 September 2018)

Unless otherwise stated, the directors each served for the whole period.

Carolyn Bradley is to be appointed as a non-executive director with effect from 15 November 2018.

Responsibility statement of the Directors in respect of the half-yearly financial report

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

--the condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the EU;

--the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by:

(a) DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, being an indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months of the financial year and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements; and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year; and

(b) DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, being related party transactions that have taken place in the first six months of the current financial year and that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the entity during that period; and any changes in the related party transactions described in the last annual report that could do so.

By order of the Board

   Simon Arora                                        Paul McDonald 
   Chief Executive                                     Chief Financial Officer 

13 November 2018

Report of the Réviseur d'Entreprises agréé

on the review of condensed consolidated interim financial information

Introduction

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of financial position of B&M European Value Retail S.A. as at 29 September 2018, the related condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for the 26 week period then ended, and notes to the interim financial information ("the condensed consolidated interim financial information"). The Board of Directors is responsible for the preparation and presentation of these condensed consolidated interim financial information in accordance with IAS 34 "Interim Financial Reporting" as adopted by the European Union. Our responsibility is to express a conclusion on these condensed consolidated interim financial information based on our review.

Scope of Review

We conducted our review in accordance with the International Standard on Review

Engagements 2410, "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity" as adopted, for Luxembourg, by the Institut des Réviseurs d'Entreprises.

A review of interim financial information consists of making inquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the accompanying condensed consolidated interim financial information as at 29 September 2018 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with IAS 34 "Interim Financial Reporting" as adopted by the European Union.

Luxembourg, November 13, 2018 KPMG Luxembourg Société coopérative

Cabinet de révision agréé

Thierry Ravasio

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

END

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