Greggs set to open 130 new shops this year in ‘record’ investment for bakery

Greggs has announced plans to open up to 130 new shops in 2018, pledging a “record” investment year for the pasty shop.

The bakery said it also intends to revamp 100 of its existing stores to cement its role as “a leading food-on-the-go brand”.

The company is going ahead with increased shop openings across the UK despite a slow-down in sales in the lead up to Christmas.

It said like-for-like sales rose 3.7 per cent but dropped down in the final three months of the year.

Despite this, 2018 will mark a huge investment year, boss Roger Whiteside said, with the company set to open between 110 and 130 shops.

Greggs already opened 131 new stores in 2017.

"We finished 2017 well,” Mr Whiteside said. "2018 will be a record year for investment in our supply chain and we intend to increase the rate of new shop openings as we continue to grow Greggs as a leading food-on-the-go brand."

According to the shop’s figures, hot sandwiches and its gluten-free "balanced choice" soup performed well last year, as well the classic favourites.

It also launched Christmas specials, a caramel latte and, in the New Year, a new focaccia-style pizza.

But the bakery warned that financial pressures, sparked by the weakened pound and soaring business costs, will continue into the next year.