He filmed the ‘ridiculous’ situation in a video which hit a nerve
A former X-Factor contestant has slammed B&M for being ‘too hot’ as their entire chocolate stock melted on the shelves in the summer heat. Marlon McKenzie, who appeared on the talent show multiple times, had been craving chocolate.
The 43-year-old, along with his friend and daughter, made the 10-minute drive to the store in Burnage, Manchester. But, as they arrived, they were hit with a ‘sweltering’ heat and when reaching the chocolate aisle, were met with devastation.
All the chocolate bars had completely melted. “Instantly, it was like being transported straight to hell,” said the model. “It was scorching hot and I couldn’t bear to be in there for more than 10 minutes. I was beading with sweat and wiping my brow constantly as it was so unbearable.
“Once I saw the chocolate, which was flopping down on the shelf, I was shocked. The bars were practically folding in half.”
Marlon, who was on X Factor in 2005, 2008 and 2010 – when he got through to Judge’s Houses – visited the store on July 10. Temperatures, in the middle of the UK’s heatwave, registered at 30C for the area.
While there was air con blasting, Marlon said: “ I didn’t see any shop workers on the floor [thankfully]. All the customers were flustered and shocked by the heat. I got my chocolate bars, picking the ones that weren’t so bad, and got out of there.”
In the clip, Marlon shows himself in B&M as he wipes his soaked forehead. He said: “I’ve just stepped foot in here and I’m f*****g melting. “I’ve actually come all the way to B&M purposefully to get chocolate bars – but this is ridiculous.”
Marlon picks up a bar of KitKats and squashes the pack with ease. He then does the same with a bar of Cadbury’s Marvellous Creations. One bar, of Cadbury and More Biscoff, folds over the curve of his hand.
He said: “Everything is just ruined” and asks the question of whether all the stock would be thrown away. U sers have flocked to the comments to share their reactions.
“Didn’t you know? B&M stands for Burn & Melt,” Ollie said. Lucie added: “My B&M I work at is fine we have air con all our chocolate isn’t melted it’s fine freezing inside.”
“Surely ac is cheaper than a whole shops worth of melted chocolate,” someone else commented. Even Morrisons got in on the banter, saying: “Average B&M experience,” with a snap of SpongeBob engulfed in flames.
“The way you’re squeezing all of them is hilarious,” another user added. Marlon claims he returned to the store a few days later to check on the chocolate and found the section had been cleared out.
He added: “It has to be pretty hot in store for chocolate to melt to that point. It’s so bad.”
A spokesperson for B&M said: “During periods of exceptionally warm weather, we closely monitor conditions across our stores, regularly check temperatures, and continue to invest in air conditioning and additional cooling measures to help maintain product quality.
“As always, any product that does not meet our strict quality standards is removed from sale. We are also taking practical steps to support our colleagues, including more frequent breaks and additional cooling measures, to help keep store teams as comfortable as possible.”
