Why do shops like B and M have more unusual flavours of things than supermarkets do?

[BarbaraVineFan]

I don’t know what this says about my social media habits, but the algorithm quite often shows me reels of ‘new foods at B and M’ or similar, and it’s always weird and wonderful versions of big brands, like a cappuccino flavoured Kit Kat or something. Can anyone explain why these types of things are available in B and M but not in mainstream supermarkets? And also, has anyone tried any of these unusual snacks and can you recommend them?

Presumably some posters are eluding to 'it's all nasty processed food so no good for my worthy protein and veg only diet', like people often say about M&S too.

They've not been in these shops for a few years, so haven't noticed that they also sell fresh unprocessed food albeit a more limited range than a large Tesco etc.

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I wonder if some people have preconceptions about what kind of stuff these shops sell - without actually going in and having a look around.

I must admit that I used to be a bit snobby when I first saw these shops in the retail parks; but when I actually went in, I saw that they aren't just walls and walls of tat.

Yes, like most shops, they do have some tat and lots of stuff that I wouldn't want to buy - but that's just the nature of shops and personal choice: those shops are seeking custom from thousands of people with many different interests and buying preferences; they're not just there for me!!

Just like Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and all the rest, then!

They aren't little community ethical organic farm shops; they sell vast quantities of what people want to buy, even if they protest that mobody does want it!

Well I meant by that, that you walk in to aisles and aisles of junk food, its the first bit you get to. Ive also been stung for cat food and laundry stuff/cleaning products, assuming that the word 'bargains' in the name made it cheaper then only to find that the stuff I got was cheaper in Home Bargains or even Lidl/Aldi

So while I go in there from time to time, dazzled by all the bright packaging on things I shouldnt eat, there is the odd thing we get, largely I try to avoid it because is a load of rubbish

Its not quite the same as the main supermarkets. Its not a supermarket for a start and as people have set out, they have tons of stuff that isnt particularly mainstream.

Very much like plain chocolate Tunnocks though.

Farmfoods sell 14 pack of those biscuits for 1.25

"loads of rubbish"
It's a regular shop that sells regular products.
What makes it rubbish?

We have a heron foods (owned by B&M) that opened on our small shopping area a few years ago (next to a Spar, chemist, post office etc). It's really handy, they have a decent amount of fresh fruit and veg at a fraction of the price of Spar. Some meat and and things like magnum ice cream, or ben and Jerry's often on offer. They also have all the weird and wonderful things like raspberry digestives.

I think it's a mixture they trial a lot of new products but also have those that haven't faired well. You can never guarantee that you will be able to buy a product then next time you go in. But I only go once or twice a month, they are also one of the places locally that stock Langley's cottage cheese which is often my reason for visiting. It's very popular, the school children are always there before and after school and I see elderly people doing quite large shops there as it's easier than travelling to town.

Ive already said, rows of rows of junk food as the first aisles and then not much cheaper than Home Bargains for example, which I find the best value for non food items.

Fine for a bit of a scout out but I try to avoid it. Thats what I said.

And it doesnt sell 'regular products' as much as the other Woolies lookie likies because thats the whole point of the thread, how come these shops (B and M in particular) have all these things that you cant find in main supermarkets, whats their deal. I find that interesting.

I always assumed it was stuff manufactured here for export but didn’t sell
or ship for whatever reason so B&M bought it and sold it on. The Australian Cadburys stuff they sell is vile. I’ve tried a few of the “funny” flavours of things in the past and they’re always disappointing.

Years ago the Nestle factory near us used to sell Kitkat in their factory shop with Arabic writing on and wrapped in different heat resistant wrappers.

Do they not buy over stock of products aimed for non-UK markets too? Hence things like flavours of biscuits and chocolate popular in, say, Romania?

Ooh I know the answer to this! DD was referred to a dermatologist for eczema linked to food additives. Supermarkets have stricter food content rules than non-food shops do. So you will get brighter orange cheese crisps at the petrol station for example. Must be the same for B&M

@soupyspoon I think they have dropped "Bargains" from their name.
They are just "B+M" now.
Their deal is (I assume) that they negotiate with the manufacturers to buy and sell products.
That's basically how retail works 😂

I didn't say that other supermarkets don't have ultra processed food just that shops like B and M have more of it. I would say 95% of their food stock is long shelf life stuff as opposed to fresh.

@TimeForATerf Australian chocolate tastes different because it has different ingredients. It's designed to survive the higher temperatures.
I have Australian friends who prefer British chocolate.
(I adore strawberry flavoured Freddos though 😋)

What everyone else has said:

1. They buy product destined for overseas markets where the deal has fallen through.
2. They buy up shorter dated stuff which hasn't shifted
3. They are more willing to take a risk and give up shelf space than the major supermarkets
4. They don't do online grocery shopping so have fewer costs in adding new product.

I agree that they are not always as cheap as the name implies, if you are particularly price sensitive then you may find similar or the same in supermarkets cheaper.

My DH picked up some of these from Morrisons recently. We are in Scotland though if that makes a difference.

Orange club biscuits are a good substitute!

I don't agree with the "shorter dated stock" thing or buying "unsold stock" thing.
That's not what I see in the branches I go to.
If they have tins of Heinz soups or whatever it's probably exactly the same batch that Tesco or whoever are selling.
One reason why they don't always seem cheaper is because they don't do own branded products.
It's all branded products. Supermarkets sell both branded and own brand so if you are on a budget you will buy own brand.

Basically, the big supermarkets have plannograms for all their shelves, their head office sends plans to all stores showing exactly what product goes on what shelf, these are changed probably twice a year at most. B&m home bargains etc don't have plannograms so they can buy new and different products at the drop of a hat because they stores can find space for it on the right aisle. This also means that those stores can respond really quickly to a trend or if they are offered a deal on some stock when other retailers can't.
B&m and home bargains shopper mentality is also totally different, in a tesco etc people tend to know what they are buying before they go in, they buy the same products or from a repertoire of brands. But in the discount stores they have what's called a treasure hunt mentality. They like finding something new or different, and even if they go in for one thing eg washing powder they will come out with lots of different things they didn't intend to buy too.
Lastly, the discounters are chasing viral products, those unique flavours or really differentiated products that are shared on socials and just explode. The amount of free advertising coming from user generated content on socials is insane, and if a product is shared widely, the uplift in their sales is massive.

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Mmm, I don't believe that to be true- supermarkets often impose their own rules stricter than the law, but that isn't the same as having stricter content rules.

The EU are stricter and have banned colours/additives- the UK just has to put on the packet that the ingredients “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children”.

See I see Home Bargains as a poor quality B&M.

They are next door to each other here and pretty much identical.

Last time I went into b&m they had method laundry detergent on a special offer but it was more expensive than it is in Waitrose usually so you do have to check prices

What people don't realise is some manufacturers purposely make smaller size products specifically for the "discount" retailers.
There are some products that were basically created for the retailers that don't sell own brand.

I got Method hand wash in Heron in all sorts of unusual but very nice scents for £1 a bottle a few years ago. I believe it is quite a bit more than that in mainstream supermarkets.