Recovery continues at Greggs.

In its May 2022 trading statement, Greggs reports that it has traded well in the first 19 weeks of 2022 with like-for-like (LFL) sales in companymanaged shops growing by 27.4%, a figure that is flattered by comparison with the restricted trading conditions in the same period of 2021.

Since they last reported, likefor-like sales growth in the most recent ten weeks to 14 May (when lockdowns in 2021 were easing) has averaged 15.8%, and they expect this figure to continue to normalise as they start to compare with more robust trading periods in 2021.

Sales levels in larger cities and in office locations continue to lag the rest of the estate, they add, but transport locations have shown a marked increase in activity in recent weeks. Sales of hot food and snacks are showing particularly strong growth, with chicken goujons and potato wedges proving popular, they observe. Total sales in the 19 weeks to 14 May 2022 were £495 million (2021: £378 million), and in the first 19 weeks of 2022 they opened 49 new shops, including 18 with their franchise partners. Recent shop openings include a number of retail parks and new travel-based units at Birmingham and Liverpool airports. In the year to date they also closed six shops, giving a total of 2,224 shops trading at 14 May (comprising 1,831 companymanaged shops and 393 franchised units).

Having made a good start to 2022 - with sales in line with their plan and a strong pipeline of new shop acquisitions ahead - looking ahead, they say that market-wide cost pressures have been increasing and consumer incomes will clearly be under pressure in the second half of the year.

“We will continue to work to mitigate the impact of cost pressures whilst protecting Greggs’ reputation for exceptional value. Whilst considerable uncertainties remain, we are in line with our plan and the Board’s expectations for the full year outcome remain unchanged,” the trading statement concluded.

Uber Eats’ new partnership with One Stop

Uber Eats has welcomed One Stop as its newest grocery and convenience partner, offering customers an expanded choice of essential products straight from their local store to their doorstep.

The new partnership will see over 500 One Stop stores available on the Uber Eats app by the end of the year. The new addition will also offer household staples such as confectionery, fresh food and alcohol, along with the wider unique offerings that One Stop is known and loved for. The new partnership in the latest step in expanding their grocery and convenience expansion on the platform, say the company.

The partnership will combine One Stop’s vast product selection and the convenience of Uber Eats doorstep deliveries which has already seen over 100 One Stop stores launch on the app over the last month, with a further 400 stores to be added by the end of Q4.

Product offerings range from confectionery and alcohol to fresh meats, fruit and vegetables as well as ongoing seasonal deals and offers that the store is known and loved for.

Alex Troughton, head of new verticals and grocery at Uber Eats UK said: “One Stop shops are known for their convenience and play an integral part in many communities. We’re excited to have them on board the Uber Eats app, allowing us to offer our customers an even wider variety of grocery and convenience goods seven days a week.” Jonny McQuarrie, managing director at One Stop, added: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Uber Eats and as always, we are committed to making it as easy as possible for our customers to shop with us. Customers will be able to have great quality products at their doorstep within minutes. We look forward to offering the Uber Eats service to both our existing loyal customers and new customers across the country.” One Stop stores are now live on the Uber Eats app between 7:30am-9:30pm seven days a week, delivering customer favourites to their doorsteps within 30 minutes.