Strong sales for baker Greggs

High Street bakery Greggs, which has shops across the West Midlands, continued its strong sales performance in its last quarter with five per cent growth on a year ago.

So far this year sales at Greggs, which has 1,688 UK retail outlets, are 5.1 per cent ahead.

Own shop like-for-like sales were up 4.9 per cent for the 13 weeks to October 3.

Greggs has completed 158 refurbishments so far this year and is on course to complete 200 shops by the end of the year. It has also converted 20 of its larger bakery cafes to the food-on-the-go format. It has opened 65 new shops and closed 47.

It said the extension of its balanced choice range to include improved own-label drinks with no added sugar has proved popular with customers.

With colder weather approaching it has relaunched its hot food menu with a range of soups and hot sandwiches.