Sales at Greggs up thanks to healthy eating options

Revenues were up 6% to £422 million while like-for-like sales in the period rose 3.8%, driven by the baker’s Balanced Choice menu, which also includes teriyaki chicken noodle salad.

Chief executive Roger Whiteside told the Press Association that Greggs intends ramp up its healthy eating options, with new soups and packets of nuts and fruit to be introduced in the autumn.

He said: “There will be new soups and we’re going to revamp our snack range, going own-label on crisps and introducing nuts and fruits packets. We’ll also see the first gluten-free products launch in the second half of the year.”

Earlier this year, Mr Whiteside revealed that he is considering branching out even further from traditional Greggs staples of sausage rolls and doughnuts into Mexican food, and one day potentially even sushi.

He added that the firm is “alert” to any Brexit-induced change in consumer sentiment over the coming months.

“There’s no sign of any impact yet, but if demand is affected we are alert and ready to react.

“In a downturn, customers will be looking for more value, meal deals and that sort of thing, so we will make sure we tailor the offer to meet conditions. We’ll have to control costs too, but it won’t affect our investment programme,” he said.

Pre-tax profits for the first six months of the year were broadly flat, coming in at £25.3 million, held down by exceptional charges linked to the closure of three bakery sites.