Greggs sales growth fuelled by healthy food in third quarter

Bakery chain Greggs has reported a 5.6% year-on-year increase in sales in the third quarter, helped by strong demand for healthy food options.

In a statement, the Newcastle-based firm said its summer menu that featured several low-calorie salads and yoghurts had proved popular.

On a like-for-like basis, sales were up 2.8% for the 13 weeks to 1 October.

The company announced that it would roll out a new autumn menu that expands its range of healthier food options along with a range of new snacks with gluten-free variants.

Chipotle beef, onion bhaji burritos and pulled chicken are among the new additions to Greggs's hot sandwich range.

"The popularity of our summer menu including an extended range of balanced choice salads and yoghurts supported sales growth in the period," the firm said.

"We also saw continued strong growth at breakfast time, helped by our strong coffee offer and value deals."

Greggs said it would meet its expectations for the full-year but that it expected to face higher costs next year.

Shares in the company opened 1.6% higher on the news.