akery chain Greggs has revealed its gross sales surged by practically a fifth over the 12 months to this point as its low cost meals stay “compelling” to cash-strapped customers.

Sales grew by 17% over the beginning of the 12 months in contrast with 2022, partly as a result of the primary few months of the earlier 12 months had been impacted by the Omicron variant, Greggs stated.

Hot meals corresponding to hen goujons and wedges are proving widespread, alongside as sturdy demand for pizza because the retailer strikes additional into the night market.

Vegan merchandise have been rolled out steadily through the years in a bid to faucet into the rising market, together with its vegan sausage roll and, extra not too long ago, vegan chicken-free bakes.

It can also be getting ready to launch a brand new flatbread vary, beginning with a brand new Mexican hen flatbread coming to shops on Thursday.

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It's all about providing that alternative, so folks can come in additional regularly

Greggs’ chief government Roisin Currie advised the PA news company that buyers had been “loving the versatility” of cold and warm choices.

“It’s all about offering that choice, so people can come in more frequently,” she advised PA.

“They can come in time and time again and try lots of different things, as well as they favourites that they love.”

Nevertheless, gross sales progress is prone to “normalise” all through the remainder of the 12 months, the corporate stated, as inflation begins to ease.

But it's nonetheless anticipating value inflation to succeed in round 9% to 10% this 12 months, pushed by employees pay pressures and better vitality prices.

Greggs has steamed forward with rising its retailer property, opening 63 new outlets over the interval and shutting 25 franchises.

It had greater than 2,360 outlets by mid-May, and beforehand hinted it desires to succeed in greater than 3,000 throughout the UK over time.

It is more and more concentrating on busy commuter areas, with new outlets opening in London’s Canary Wharf station, and Cardiff and Glasgow airports.

Ms Currie stated they marked “key and exciting” openings, and added the corporate has launched one other two new Tasty cafes in Primark shops, together with in Bristol, to draw prospects “on the go”.

The group is at the moment selecting a location to trial a 24-hour drive via, she added.

Greggs cautioned that the macroeconomic backdrop stays “challenging” with ongoing value inflation and family incomes below strain.

But the chain stated it's assured its “outstanding value proposition continues to be compelling”.

There aren't any present plans to boost the costs of its merchandise, Ms Currie confirmed. The nationwide common worth of its widespread sausage roll is at the moment £1.20, having value £1 firstly of 2022.