Greggs PLC: Sales rise over Christmas and New Year

Newcastle upon Tyne / UK. (sj) Sales at Greggs PLC were up over Christmas when compared to the equivalent period 2009, the bakery chain said in its latest statement. For the week ending 25 December 2010 the company saw a total sales increase by 19,6 percent and like-for-like sales by 16,0 percent; building on the 6,5 percent increase in total sales in Christmas week 2009. Total sales for the five week Christmas trading period to 08 January 2011 grew by 3,5 percent with like-for-like sales increasing by 0,6 percent.

Highlights during the Christmas trading period included a 26 percent increase in the sales of coffee and growth of 19 percent in the sales of sweet mince pies. From the launch of seasonal ranges at the beginning of November through to the end of the year the company sold more than eight million mince pies and nearly two million of Festive Bakes.

For the 2010 financial year as a whole (52 weeks ending 01 January 2011), total sales increased by 2,2 percent and like-for-like sales by 0,2 percent compared with the equivalent 52 week period in 2009, in line with the company´s expectation of marginally positive like-for-like growth over the year as a whole. Comparing the 52 week performance in 2010 with the 53 week performance in 2009, total sales increased by 0,6 percent.

In December the company opened 19 new shops, taking a total for the year to 93 new shops and delivering a record net increase of 68, after 25 closures, to give a total of 1’487 shops at 01 January 2011. Greggs also completed 135 shop refurbishments, including 28 new concept shops.