Greggs has this morning reported a 5% increase in like-for-like sales (2016: 2.8%) across its company-managed shop estate for the 13 weeks to 30 September, with total sales up 8.6%.
It said that for the year to date, its total sales have grown by 7.8%, with like-for-like sales up 3.9%.
The 1,830-strong company has opened 98 new shops in the year-to-date, with 32 closures and 120 refits completed.
It said that its new autumn range includes ‘all day breakfast’ wrap and Thai Chicken Soup.
Chief executive Roger Whiteside said: “The investment in our new forecasting and replenishment system is resulting in greater product availability for customers; in addition the seasonal changes to our range have been popular and we have further developed our Balanced Choice options. Sales at breakfast time continue to grow strongly along with participation in our great value deals.”
For the year as a whole, the company expects to open 140-150 shops and close 40-50, a net increase of around 100.
Whiteside said: “Work on our supply chain investment plan is progressing with the focus on redeveloping our Leeds bakery to consolidate manufacturing of small cakes and muffins. Alongside this we will trial our new SAP supply chain system in two sites ahead of broader deployment next year.
“Our investment in greater product availability and service has benefitted recent trading. As we have previously indicated, food ingredient cost pressures are a headwind, although we continue to expect that the rate of increase will begin to ease towards the end of the year. Accordingly, our expectations for the full year outturn remain unchanged.”
