Greggs PLC Reports Sales Growth Through New Products and Global Expansion
Introduction
Greggs has announced an increase in sales and the opening of new stores, while also raising prices to deal with the rising cost of living.
Main Body
The company's financial performance shows a positive trend, with total sales increasing by 7.4% to reach £800 million. Specifically, sales in company-managed shops rose by 2.5% in early 2026, and then grew faster at 3.3% in the following ten weeks. This growth is due to a change in the menu; the introduction of matcha drinks and a chicken roll has helped the brand attract younger, health-conscious customers. Furthermore, adding high-protein options, such as the chicken Caesar salad, meets the changing nutritional demands of consumers. At the same time, the company has increased the prices of its meal deals. For example, the two-part breakfast now costs £3.25, and the 'big deal' package has risen to £5.25. Despite these increases, management emphasized that Greggs remains an affordable choice for customers during an unstable economy. To manage costs, the firm has signed fixed-price contracts for energy and packaging, although it still expects overall costs to rise by 3% during 2026. Expanding the business remains a top priority, with a goal to open 120 net new stores this year. A major milestone is the upcoming opening of the company's first international shop at Tenerife South airport. The company intends to use the high number of UK travelers at this location to see if the brand is successful in a foreign market.
Conclusion
Greggs continues to grow its market share and international presence, although future prices may be affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Learning
🚀 The 'Cause and Effect' Jump
At the A2 level, you likely use 'because' for everything. To reach B2, you need to describe why things happen using a variety of professional structures. Look at how the text explains the success of Greggs:
*"This growth is due to a change in the menu..."
The Shift: Instead of saying "Growth happened because they changed the menu," use "due to + noun phrase." This makes your English sound more academic and decisive.
🛠️ Level Up Your Vocabulary: The 'Growth' Spectrum
B2 students don't just use the word "increase." They use specific verbs to describe movement. Notice these patterns in the article:
- Rise / Rose: used for prices and percentages ("prices... has risen to £5.25").
- Expand / Expansion: used for physical space or markets ("global expansion").
- Attract: used for bringing in a specific type of person ("attract younger... customers").
Pro Tip: When you talk about business or money, stop using "go up." Use "rise" or "increase."
🧠 Contrast Logic: The 'Despite' Pivot
One of the hardest jumps from A2 to B2 is handling contradictory information in one sentence.
The A2 Way: "Prices went up. But Greggs is still cheap." The B2 Way: "Despite these increases, management emphasized that Greggs remains an affordable choice..."
The Rule: Despite + [Noun/Noun Phrase], [Main Clause].
It allows you to acknowledge a problem while simultaneously presenting a positive fact. This is the secret to sounding fluent in professional reports.