UK’s biggest bakery chain ‘opening 100 new stores’ this year with over 700 MORE still to come

THE UK’S biggest bakery chain is set to open 100 new stores this year in a boost for the high street. Greggs already has 2,773 bakeries across Britain but is looking to add up to 110 more sites. The beloved bakery chain is rolling out a huge expansion plan The no-frills bakery chain said many of these new stores would be in new locations with no Greggs shop within a mile. It is looking to add an extra 700 new chains in the long term, which would take the size of its estate to 3,500. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! The beloved chain is also trialling a new “Express” format which involves self-service units with a smaller range of food items and drinks located within petrol stations. Up to 10 of these sites are expected to be opened by the end of the year. It comes as the bakery chain revealed that total sales topped £1.1billion for the 26 weeks to June 27, which was 7.2% higher than the same period a year ago. This was largely driven by the opening of 34 shops on a net basis. Boss Roisin Currie also stressed that it had no further price rises planned after its breakfast, lunch and “big” deals went up in May. Back in spring, the bakery chain increased the price of its two-part breakfast deal, which includes a roll and a hot drink, from £3.15 to £3.25. Most read in Money The breakfast deal had already gone up from £2.95 in October. Meanwhile the lunch meal deal, which includes a sandwich, baguette or pasta salad and a drink, has gone up from £4 to £4.25. Comment now