Greggs aims for 90 more stores

Ken McMeikan, the chief executive of the bakery chain Greggs, yesterday unveiled plans to open another 90 stores this year.

It presently has 1,571 across Britain, after opening 98 last year, a rapid pace of expansion that will continue. Greggs is growing on the high street and at industrial and retail parks, aiming to offer its goods to the half of the population it currently does not reach.

It is also targeting football clubs, and is already at Pride Park, the home of Derby County.

"We have very clear growth plans for Greggs. There are more and more shop units available at cheaper rates," Mr McMeikan said yesterday.

He was talking as Greggs unveiled storming trading over Christmas. In the five weeks to 7 January, sales rose 10 per cent in all and 5.1 per cent on a like-for-like basis.