Greggs to expand as sales rise

Bakery chain Greggs today announced plans for further expansion and said it would look to serve customers "at work and as they travel".

Greggs said it planned new outlets away from its traditional high street bases.

It already has a store at Newcastle Airport but could now move into areas like industrial estates, housing estates and bus stations.

The Newcastle-based business, which has 1,400 outlets across Britain, also said it planned to bring its Bakers Oven business under the Greggs banner.

The retailer said it could see "considerable potential" for growth, particularly in the south of England and North West. The company said it was looking to serve customers "at work and as they travel".

The plans emerged as Greggs posted decent trading figures for the 25 weeks to December 6, with like-for-like sales growth of 3.8 per cent matching the rate reported in October.

Chief executive Ken McMeikan said the business, which serves one million customers a day and sells three million sausage rolls a week, was in a good position to "weather the downturn" and "exploit opportunities" in the future.