Greggs growth slows

Mar 11 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

It is also opening more shops close to where customers work or travel in locations away from the traditional high street, such as industrial estates, business parks, airports and bus stations.

Chief executive Ken McMeikan, who joined in June, said: “Our customers are not immune to the effects of recession, but they and others will seek out good value and we will work hard to find ways of continuing to deliver that with great quality products at great prices.”

The group, which employs 19,000 staff, is now more than two years into a three-year plan to raise its national profile and unify the business under the Greggs brand.

As part of this, it has decided to pull out of its loss-making Belgium operation and to rebrand all its Bakers Oven shops in the UK.

Greggs opened 41 new shops last year, but said it will be “very selective” in openings for 2009.