Bakery chain Greggs has reported a successful six months, with iced summer drinks and pizza box deals helping to drive higher sales and profit.
Total sales for the 26 weeks to 29 June 2024 reached £960.6m, up by 13.8% from £844.0m last year.
Post-4pm evening sales and expanded delivery options contributed to the strong performance. Deliveries through the Just Eat and Uber Eats platforms represented 6.7% of sales in company-managed shops in the first half of 2024, compared with 5.3% in the same period a year ago.
Greggs’ new over-ice drinks range is now available in 500 shops and new pizza offers, including a four-slice pizza sharing box option, are driving sales growth alongside the existing hot food range. The company has also extended a trial of made-to-order hot food.
Underlying pre-tax profit rose by 16.3% to £74.1m for the six-month period.
“Greggs has made good progress in the first half of the year, further broadening our range of on-the-go food and drink whilst making it more accessible to more customers,” said chief executive Roisin Currie.
“Our cost outlook for 2024 remains unchanged and we continue to trade in line with our plan. The board remains confident in the long-term growth strategy, and we are investing to support that growth.”
After adding 51 net new shops in the period, Greggs was trading from 2,524 shops as at 29 June 2024. The company said that it remains on track for 140 to 160 net new shop openings in 2024.
