Greggs sales lifted by demand for healthier options

Healthier food options such as falafel and hummus have helped power sales at Greggs, the bakery chain better known for its sausage rolls and steak bakes.

Greggs said first-half sales were boosted by demand for healthy snacks. Picture: Contributed

During the first half, revenues were up 6 per cent to £422 million while like-for-like sales in the period rose 3.8 per cent, driven by the group’s Balanced Choice menu, which also includes teriyaki chicken noodle salad.

Pre-tax profits for the first six months of the year, including property gains and exceptional charges, came in at £25.4m, slightly down on the £25.6m booked a year earlier.

Chief executive Roger Whiteside said Greggs intends ramp up its healthy eating options, with new soups and packets of nuts and fruit to be introduced in the autumn.

He said: “There will be new soups and we’re going to revamp our snack range, going own-label on crisps and introducing nuts and fruits packets. We’ll also see the first gluten-free products launch in the second half of the year.”