BAKERY chain Greggs said expansion plans failed to distract the business last year – as annual profits rose by 8% to £48.8m.
The company, which has a number of shops in Huddersfield, lifted sales by 4.8% to £658m.
Greggs said it intended to accelerate its programme of store openings. The firm, which has 1,400 stores, intends to open a further 50 to 60 shops this year, followed by at least 70 a year from 2011 onwards.
That will include bringing more shops to locations where customers travel and work, such as bus and retail stations and retail parks.
Greggs declared a total dividend up by 11.4% to 16.6p – representing its 25th consecutive year of dividend growth since it floated on the stock market in 1984.
