Latest news with #MalcolmBillington
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
KitKat lovers race to B&M to buy 2 new flavours 'they can't wait to try'
B&M shoppers are planning a trip to the popular store after spotting two new flavours of KitKat are available. The iconic chocolate bar, which was founded in the 1930s, is sold in more than 80 countries KitKat fans are keen to snap up two new flavours of KitKat after they were spotted at B&M stores. The Nestlé chocolate bar, made up of layered wafers coated in milk chocolate, has been a mainstay on countless confectionery shelves up and down the country since it was first launched in 1935 as the 'chocolate crisp'. Over the years, various flavours of the beloved chocolate bar have delighted fans, including a Rolo Caramel version of the KitKat Chunky released in May, and now two new flavours are currently creating a flurry of interest. Popular food-focused account New Foods UK shared an image of the two new bars across social media after they were seen at B&M. The new flavours are Honeycomb Buzz, made with honeycomb flavour, and Gold Crush, made with 'crushed caramel crisps'. New Foods UK shared the image, captured in the aisle at a B&M store, on both Facebook and Instagram. On Facebook, people were keen to share their thoughts in the comments section. One person said: 'I have to get these'. Another said: 'Very interesting' while a third said: 'Can't wait to try them'. Someone else commented: 'Ooh now we're talking'. Countless others simply tagged their friends to direct them to the post. Over on Instagram, the response was similarly enthusiastic. One person who had tried them shared: 'Both very good!' while many others tagged their pals to draw their attention to the new flavours. KitKat was originally founded in the 1930s by British confectionery company Rowntree's. According to KitKat's website, it came about through the desire to create 'a chocolate bar that could be consumed on-the-go without creating a mess'. In the late 1980s, it was taken over by Nestlé and is now 'sold in over 80 countries and is one of the most popular chocolate bars worldwide'. New Foods UK has cultivated a dedicated following on social media due to its consistent updates offering photos and videos of all the latest sweet treats, snacks and more found in supermarkets and other retail outlets across the nation. The account, which has an impressive 373,000 followers on Instagram, frequently posts reviews after sampling new products, too. Famed retailer B&M, where the new KitKats have been spotted, is similarly popular for its wide range of household goods and products, from food and beverages to home accessories and even gardening supplies. It was established by Malcolm Billington and Brian Mayman, with the first shop opening its doors in Cleveleys, Lancashire, back in 1978. Its now renowned name originates from its founders, although it was initially known as Billington & Mayman before being abbreviated to B&M. Since its inception in the 1970s, it has expanded and now operates more than 740 shops in the UK, along with 124 stores in France.
Daily Mirror
29-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Meaning behind ASOS, H&M, B&M and other big name brand's names
There are many high street shops and fast food outlets throughout the UK whose names are actually abbreviations - but what are the hidden meanings behind all of them? It turn's out quite a lot is in a name, especially when it's an acronym. Many of the high street's biggest brands, as well as shops, restaurants and other firms, choose to adopt acronyms because they sound good and gets rid of any unease about saying a long-winded name fully. H&M, KFC and B&M are some of the most memorable - but what do they actually mean? Most people - especially those over 30 - will know that KFC stands for Kentucky Fried Chicken, as it was only changed to its acronym in 1991. But do you know what the letters in ASOS, H&M, B&M and more actually stand for? Let's unravel the mystery.... ASDA The company was established in 1965 when the Asquith family, who owned a supermarket, merged with the Associated Dairies company of Yorkshire. ASquith plus DAiries led to the creation of ASDA on May 3, 1965. It expanded across England during the 1970s and 1980s. Just remember to call it The Asda, alright? ASOS This global fashion brand and online megastore began in 1999 as a supplier of unbranded clothes to celebrities appearing on TV. The concept was that people could find clothes and accessories they had seen celebs wearing. Before long, people started referring to AsSeenOnScreen as ASOS and in late 2000 the domain name was purchased. B&M Bargains and More would really suffice but it actually stands for Billington and Mayman as it was set up by Malcolm Billington but shortened to B&M for Bargain Madness. Established in 1978 - Billington remained the company director until 1996. B&Q Block and Quayle may sound like a deep house duo who would have performed a six-hour set at Cream back in the day. However, Richard Block and David Quayle are actually the founders of B&Q. Their joint business venture began after they purchased and refurbished a former furniture warehouse in a Southampton suburb. The pair soon shortened the brand to B&Q as stock delivery notes and invoices were already unofficially abbreviating the name. C&A This retailer still has many stores in Europe despite there being none left in the UK after the last one closed its doors in 2001. The company was founded by brothers Clemens and August Brenninkmeijer in 1841 as a Dutch textile company before transitioning into clothing in the 1900s. H&M H&M is Swedish and was founded all the way back in 1947, although back then it was just known as Hennes. Originally the store sold exclusively women's clothing, but when hunting apparel retailer Mauritz Widforss was acquired, men's wear was also included and 'H&M' combined the initials. The first UK store opened in London in 1976 - this was also the first store to be built outside of Scandinavia. HSBC Houses, Shoes, Boats and Cars are just some of the things you can buy if you take out a giant loan at HSBC but sadly that's not what it stands for. HSBC was actually founded by a Scotsman named Sir Thomas Sutherland in Hong Kong in 1865. Back then, Hong Kong was still a British colony. HSBC benefited from the start of trading into China. The banking behemoth HSBC took its initial steps across the Channel only at the turn of the millennium, scooping up Credit Commercial de France and bringing a piece of 'Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank', which the acronym stands for, to continental Europe. IKEA Swedish furniture giant IKEA had humble beginnings in 1943 when teen entrepreneur Ingvar Kamprad established it in Almhult as a mail-order business. Following World War II, IKEA expanded its offering to include furniture and launched its first physical shop back in 1958 in Almhurt. The brand's Swedish roots are evident in its name, with 'Elmtaryd' harking back to the farm Kamprad was raised on, while the 'A' signifies his Agunnaryd hometown. By the 70s, IKEA had already begun its conquest of Europe, and by the 80s, it had firmly rooted itself in the UK market. LEGO This household name traces back to Denmark, with its name derived from the local phrase 'leg godt', meaning 'play well'. Ole Kirk Christiansen's passion project in his woodshop during 1932 evolved into The Lego Group by 1934, shifting from wooden toys to plastic ones in 1947. It wasn't much later that the signature Lego brick won its patent in January 1958, paving the way for Brand Finance to crown Lego as the "world's most powerful brand". QVC This moniker mirrors the simplicity of its televised retail service – promising Quality, Value, Convenience. Yet, in today's fast-paced digital landscape, one could debate whether browsing the internet trumps sitting through television broadcasts for that perfect bargain. QVC, based in Knowsley Industrial Park, was established by Joseph Segel in Pennsylvania in 1986 and now broadcasts to over 350 million households in seven countries worldwide.
