Bargain hunters, brace yourselves! Ba&M is set to sprinkle a bit more discount magic across Britain with plans to open 45 new stores in 2025.

Despite a dip in sales, the budget retail giant, boasting over 650 outlets, is gearing up for an ambitious expansion, as reported by This Is Money. The retailer's financial health check revealed to the stock market that UK like-for-like sales took a 3.1% tumble to £4.5 billion in the year leading up to March 29, with a further 2.4% drop in the last quarter.

Yet, it's not all doom and gloom for the high street favourite. The group as a whole enjoyed a 3.7% uplift in sales, hitting £5.6 billion, thanks to their fresh store launches and a sterling performance from their French branches, helping to cushion the blow of the UK's sluggish figures.

The company is also on the hunt for a new chief exec as Alex Russo is set to hang up his retail hat at the end of April, with updates on his successor expected "in due course", reports the Express.

Last year saw B&M cut the ribbon on 45 new locations, and they're sticking to the same growth script this year. While they're keeping schtum on most of the upcoming store sites, they've let slip on 16 so far, whetting the appetite of bargain lovers nationwide.