Greggs will open 150 new shops across the UK this year

Greggs’ boss has said the bakery chain is on track with plans to open 150 new stores across the UK.

Chief executive Roisin Currie said the company will open new stores in Cornwall and other areas where it currently has fewer locations as part of the group’s rapid expansion plan.

Greggs currently has about 2,300 stores in the UK, but said it hopes to expand to more than 3,000 as part of its long-term growth strategy.

The company expects to open a net 150 new stores this year, but could accelerate plans if more locations become available.

It comes as the group opens its fourth store in Cornwall on Saturday, in U2 Enterprise Park, Saltash, as it targets locations where the group currently has a weaker presence.

The company expects to open a net 150 new stores this year, but could accelerate plans if more locations become available.

Roisin Currie, who was appointed CEO last year, said she is pleased with the group’s progress in opening new branches.

“The opening strategy is going according to plan and the new Cornwall location is an important part of that,” she said.

“Obviously we are a brand that started in the North and the natural growth of the business from there means there is more scope for opening locations in some parts of the country, such as Cornwall and the South West. ‘

The new opening comes on top of existing stores in St Austell, Launceston and Truro across the county.

Bosses said a number of new locations in the expansion plan will target British tourists and travellers, with openings at travel locations such as petrol stations and filling stations.

Ms Currie said the group is also positive about investment in new products on the menu and optimistic about summer trade.

“We’ve launched a number of new products, such as chicken shawarma flatbreads, and they’re all doing very well,” she said.

“We are very positively looking forward to the summer and hopefully this warm weather will encourage more people to go out and eventually look for a place to eat.”

Bosses said a number of new locations in the expansion plan will target British tourists and travellers

Holidaymakers departing from the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport and Glasgow Airport will soon be able to pick up their favorite treats before flying abroad

A Greggs store opens just a stone’s throw from Edinburgh’s historic 12th-century castle.

And holidaymakers departing from Gatwick Airport’s South Terminal and Glasgow Airport will soon be able to pick up their favorite treats before flying abroad, with new shops for each.

Other new locations include a branch at Canary Wharf and Shepherd’s Bush stations in London, while Primark Tasty Café in Newcastle and Spennymoor, County Durham will also have their own outlets.

Greggs already opened a record 186 new stores this year and closed 39, with new chains popping up in transportation hubs such as train stations and airports, retail parks and drive-thrus.

At the end of 2022, it had 2,328 branches across the UK, but the bakery giant’s bosses claim they want to eventually have more than 3,000 across the country.

Greggs revealed that total sales reached a record high of £1.5 billion last year, up nearly a quarter on the previous year.

Households struggling with the rising cost of living have led loyal shoppers to return to Greggs for great-value meals, though customer numbers have remained below pre-pandemic levels, it said.