REG - Greggs PLC - Trading Update

GreggsAnnouncement

19/02/2019 07:05

RNS Number : 4055Q
Greggs PLC
19 February 2019
 


 
 
 
19 February 2019
 
GREGGS plc
TRADING UPDATE
 
Greggs is the leading bakery food-on-the-go retailer in the UK,
with over 1,950 retail outlets throughout the country
 
Exceptionally strong start to 2019
 
·    Total sales up 14.1% for the seven weeks to 16 February 2019
·    Company-managed shop like-for-like sales up 9.6% for the seven weeks to

16 February 2019
·    Exceptional sales performance boosted by publicity surrounding launch of Greggs' vegan-friendly sausage roll
 
Greggs has made an exceptionally strong start to 2019.  In the seven weeks to 16 February 2019, total sales grew by 14.1 per cent (2018 comparator period: 6.2 per cent) and like-for-like sales in company-managed shops increased by 9.6 per cent (2018 comparator period: 2.9 per cent).
 
The performance builds on the strong finish to 2018, and has been supported by extensive publicity surrounding the launch of the vegan-friendly sausage roll at the start of January.  As a result, customer transaction numbers have increased, with additional sales mainly comprising savoury products such as the vegan-friendly sausage roll and our other iconic sausage rolls and bakes.
 
The rate of growth has eased slightly in February but the strength of trading is likely to have a material impact on the first half result for 2019, particularly as comparative sales growth for 2018 was weak due to the extreme weather.  Sales comparatives then strengthen in the second half of the year.  Overall the Board now anticipates that 2019 full year underlying profit before tax (excluding exceptional charges) is likely to be ahead of its previous expectations.
 
Further information will be available at the publication of the Company's 2018 preliminary results on 7 March 2019.
 
 
 



ENQUIRIES:








Greggs plc


Hudson Sandler




Richard Hutton, Finance Director


Wendy Baker / Hattie O'Reilly




Tel:  0191 281 7721


Tel:  020 7796 4133



 




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