Greggs. the leading bakery food-on-the-go retailer in the UK with over 1,700 retail outlets, has reported total sales rose by 5.7% in first 18 weeks of 2016 (2015: 5.9%).
In the period, company-managed shop like-for-like sales in the first 18 weeks were up by 3.7% (2015: 6.0%)
In advance of the company's AGM tomorrow, Greggs plc is also providing an update on its business.
Total sales for the 18 weeks to 7 May 2016 grew by 5.7% and like-for-like sales in company-managed shops grew by 3.7% over the same period. As has been widely reported, conditions on the High Street were softer in March before recovering in recent weeks; these conditions were reflected in Greggs' performance.
The hot sandwich range and extended breakfast menu have proved particularly popular and the introduction of flat white coffee is helping to continue our delivery of double-digit growth in sales of hot drinks.
Greggs has extended its fresh fruit offer and have been encouraged by trials of its upgraded range of salads, which are freshly prepared in store and now available nationwide. All salads meet the firm's Balanced Choice criteria and include some innovative new products such as Teriyaki Chicken Noodle and Falafel with Houmous.
In the first 18 weeks, the group completed 55 shop refurbishments and in total will refit around 200 shops this year. These transformational investments continue to drive incremental sales growth as customers enjoy the improved shopping environment and additional facilities such as seating.
In the year to date, Greggs has opened 43 new shops, including 23 franchised units in transport locations. The firm closed 21 shops, giving a total of 1,720 shops trading (comprising 1,592 company-managed shops and 128 franchised units). The shop openings continue to focus on new food-on-the-go locations and the relocation of existing shops to support further growth.
In March, Greggs opened its first company-managed shop in Northern Ireland, at Boucher Retail Park in Belfast. The shop is trading well and in the next few weeks it will open its first unit in central Belfast.