Greggs keeps prices on hold as sales leap and it opens new shops | Greggs

Greggs, Britain’s biggest bakery chain, said it had no plans to raise its prices before Christmas after its cost inflation eased, as sales soared over the last three months.

The retailer raised its prices in June, when some products went up by 5-10p.

“We don’t have any plans currently to take any further price rises pre-Christmas,” the chief executive, Roisin Currie, told Reuters.

She said the cost of commodities such as dairy and vegetable oils had eased, while energy prices were less volatile than last year. But she warned that there was still significant inflation in the market, particularly in staff wages.

The baker, known for its sausage rolls and vegan version, said like-for-like sales – those in shops open more than a year – rose by 14% in the 13 weeks to 30 September. It stuck with its estimates for the full year, despite “the uncertainty in the economy as a whole”.

Greggs has expanded into offering food in the evenings and is rolling out its delivery service with a second partner, Uber Eats, after a trial.

The company opened 144 shops and closed 62, resulting in a total of 2,410 outlets. It plans to open more shops in train stations and airports to capitalise on the popularity of its pizza deals. Evening trade made up 8.8% of sales in the quarter.

Its autumn menu is now available, featuring spicy chicken and veg bhaji baguette, with new vegetarian options including a cheese and honey mustard toastie, a veg bhaji flatbread and mozzarella and cheddar bites, as well as spicy veg pizza. On the drinks menu, it is serving up pumpkin spice latte and the new hazelnut mocha and hazelnut hot chocolate.

Russell Pointon of the research firm Edison Group said: “Greggs’s success lies in its strategic initiatives, including space expansion, new menu options and the expansion of evening trade.

“Their partnership with Uber Eats, alongside Just Eat, for delivery services further broadens their reach and caters to the changing preferences of convenience-seeking consumers.”