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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jul/29/greggs-profits-boosted-by-healthier-options-and-shop-upgrades
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| Greggs profits boosted by healthier options and shop upgrades | Greggs profits boosted by healthier options and shop upgrades |
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| High street baker Greggs has posted a 51% rise in profits for the first half of the year thanks to strong demand for its breakfast range and healthier sandwiches and flatbreads. | High street baker Greggs has posted a 51% rise in profits for the first half of the year thanks to strong demand for its breakfast range and healthier sandwiches and flatbreads. |
| The company raised its full-year guidance for the second time in three months as a result of favourable market conditions and well received improvements to its products and shops. | The company raised its full-year guidance for the second time in three months as a result of favourable market conditions and well received improvements to its products and shops. |
| Greggs, which is based in Newcastle and operates 1,664 retail outlets, reported profit before tax of £25.6m in the six months to 4 July, up from £16.9m in the same period last year. Sales increased 6.4% to £398m. | |
| “We are confident of delivering a year of good growth slightly ahead of our previous expectations,” said CEO Roger Whiteside. | “We are confident of delivering a year of good growth slightly ahead of our previous expectations,” said CEO Roger Whiteside. |
| In April, the company said shareholders would share a £20m special dividend after the baker beats its expectations, again on the back of a growing customer appetite for products with less than 400 calories. | In April, the company said shareholders would share a £20m special dividend after the baker beats its expectations, again on the back of a growing customer appetite for products with less than 400 calories. |
| Whiteside said there was a significant growth in breakfast sales as well as from the extension of the range of lower-calorie sandwiches and flatbreads. He said there had been a good reaction from customers to shop refurbishments that saw 118 refits and 12 cafe conversions. | Whiteside said there was a significant growth in breakfast sales as well as from the extension of the range of lower-calorie sandwiches and flatbreads. He said there had been a good reaction from customers to shop refurbishments that saw 118 refits and 12 cafe conversions. |
| Shares in the group, which have more than doubled over the last year, rose almost 3% to £12.17, valuing the business at £1.2bn. | Shares in the group, which have more than doubled over the last year, rose almost 3% to £12.17, valuing the business at £1.2bn. |
| Under Whiteside, the company has pushed coffee sales, introduced free-range omelettes and porridge for breakfast and added extra seating to branches, diversifying from its traditional image as purveyors of sausage rolls, pies and pasties. | Under Whiteside, the company has pushed coffee sales, introduced free-range omelettes and porridge for breakfast and added extra seating to branches, diversifying from its traditional image as purveyors of sausage rolls, pies and pasties. |
| Greggs was in the doldrums two years ago and was forced to publish two profit warnings in 2013. Whiteside’s overhaul helped push profits up 41% last year. | Greggs was in the doldrums two years ago and was forced to publish two profit warnings in 2013. Whiteside’s overhaul helped push profits up 41% last year. |
| Hollywood actor Jake Gyllenhaal recently revealed himself to be a fan of Greggs: “I eat Greggs, Greggs baguettes – that’s what I eat when I’m in London,” he said in an interview with Magic FM. | Hollywood actor Jake Gyllenhaal recently revealed himself to be a fan of Greggs: “I eat Greggs, Greggs baguettes – that’s what I eat when I’m in London,” he said in an interview with Magic FM. |