Greggs, Leeds
Image Source: Paul Robertson

Greggs to cook up 500 new jobs as sales return to pre-pandemic levels

A British bakery brand has announced today that it expects to create 500 new jobs before the end of the year.

Greggs, which has more than 2,000 stores across the UK, is set to create the new roles as part of its ongoing expansion, which will see it open around 50 new shops in the second half of the year.

In the first half of 2021, the company opened 48 stores, with sales returning to pre-pandemic levels.

It reported sales of £546.2m during the period, up from last year’s £300.6m - and almost matching 2019’s £546.3m.

Roger Whiteside, chief executive of Greggs, commented: “Greggs once again showed its resilience in a challenging first half, emerging from the lockdown months in a strong position and rebuilding sales as social restrictions were progressively relaxed.

“We continue to make good progress with our strategic priorities, growing the shop estate and investing in our digital capabilities to compete in all channels and dayparts of our market.

“Whilst there continue to be general uncertainties in the market, given our recent performance we now expect full year profit to be slightly ahead of our previous expectation.”

Our Partners