Greggs closes in on 2,000 stores

GREGGS is powering ahead with its plan to open 2,000 stores after the bakery’s popular breakfast menu and low-calorie food range helped buoy sales.

The sausage roll maker saw sales jump 8.6pc in the 13 weeks to September despite hiking prices as cost pressures mounted. Sales across stores open for more than a year increased 5pc.

Greggs has opened 98 stores in the year, having closed 32. The openings bring its total number of UK branches to 1,830.

The firm said it still expects to open about 150 by the year end, closing around 50, with a net increase of around 100 this year.

Greggs has managed to grow in recent years by diversifying its menu to include healthier options.