British baker and fast food chain Greggs kept its full-year outlook as underlying sales rose in the third quarter and it won market share, showing the resilience of its value offer in a cost of living crisis now into a second year.
Greggs also said that the rate of cost inflation had eased as it annualised the significant commodity-led increases it saw in 2022.
The group's sausage rolls, steak bakes, vegan snacks and sweet treats have chimed with Britons whose income has been dented by high inflation. Its shares are up 45% over the last year.
Like-For-Like Sales
Greggs' like-for-like sales in company-managed shops rose 14.2% year-on-year over the 13 weeks to September 30, its fiscal third quarter, having been up 16.0% in the first half. Total sales rose 20.8%.
The high street baker opened a net 82 stores in the quarter, taking the total to 2,410.
It also extended trading hours into the early evening at more stores, increased customer participation in its app, and further developed its delivery service with a second partner, Uber Eats.
'At a time when customers are looking to make their money go further, Greggs continues to offer exceptional value and grow market share,' the company said in a statement. 'We have strong product and promotional plans for the fourth quarter and the extension of our delivery service will make Greggs accessible to more customers on more occasions.'
Full-Year Expectations
Greggs said the board's expectations for full-year results were unchanged.
Prior to Tuesday's update analysts were on average forecasting a 2023 pretax profit of £165 million (€190.4 million), according to Refinitiv data, up from £148.3 million (€171.1 million) in 2022.
Additional reporting by ESM
