Greggs celebrates strong end to ‘exceptional year’ with staff pay-out

Following a record year, Greggs is to make a special payment to colleagues totalling £7m.

Sales rose 12.5% in the quarter, bringing the increase over the year to December 28 2019 to 13.5%. Like-for-likes at company managed branches climbed 8.7% in the quarter and 9.2% in the year, during which Greggs launched its now famous vegan sausage roll.

Greggs chief executive Roger Whiteside described the special payment to staff as “recognition of their crucial contribution”.

He said: “We delivered a strong finish to what has been an exceptional year for Greggs. The major investments we have made in recent years to make Greggs an attractive choice in the food-on-the-go market are delivering. Consumers are responding very positively and we have seen increasing visits from both new and existing customers.

“Our record financial performance in 2019 has enabled us to enhance returns to shareholders. I am delighted to announce that we will also be making a special additional payment to all of our colleagues across the business who have worked so hard to deliver this success in what has been a phenomenal year.

“Looking to the year ahead, we face strong sales comparatives and cost inflation headwinds present a challenge. However, with strong momentum in the business we see further growth opportunities across a number of channels as we invest in new ways to make Greggs more accessible and convenient for customers.”