Bake news... Greggs is back!
800 STORES TO REOPEN WITH REST TO FOLLOW SUIT SOON
GREGGS has outlined plans to open all of its shops in the next few weeks, but has warned that its range of products will be limited at first.
The Newcastle food-on-the-go specialists is opening around 800 of its 2,000-plus stores this week and says it is aiming to have the entire estate operational by early July.
But it said that social distancing and other safety measures in the shops - which include reducing the number of people allowed in stores, with floor markings and signs to help customers - will mean the company’s takings are likely to be reduced.
As a result, Greggs said it would be restricting its range to “best sellers”, and that some shop and production staff would remain on furlough.
Greggs has received funding support from the Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility, but says it is well placed to survive the coronavirus lockdown.
Chief executive Roger Whiteside said: “Looking forward, although great uncertainty remains, we are excited to be resuming our service for many customers this week.
“We are confident of our ability to adapt to market conditions in the short term while continuing to invest in the long-term growth of our business. I want to thank all of our 25,000 colleagues for their support in getting us to this point.”
Greggs said it would be introducing protective screens at counters and increasing the use of hand sanitiser and other cleaning measures. It was also introducing new uniforms for staff and encouraging contactless payment.
Greggs said: “Our capacity to operate will be restricted by size of shop and we must anticipate that sales may be lower than normal for some time.”
This would mean a proportion of its staff would remain on furlough and it has also put its shop opening programme on hold, as well as approaching landlords for rent reductions and moves to monthly rather than quarterly payment.
But it has continued with investment into a robotic frozen logistics facility in the North East, and said it was looking to accelerate deliver and click-and-collect services around the country.