Greggs customers could face price rises as it warns of cost inflation

theguardian.com:

Greggs customers could face further price rises after the bakery chain warned that its costs would rise by 9% this year – four percentage points more than predicted at the start of 2022.

The company said cost inflation “increased significantly” in the first half of the year led by pricier food and packaging.

Greggs added 5p to 10p to the price of its products at the start of 2022 and raised prices again in May as it said the cost of ingredients was increasing. At the start of the year, the group predicted prices would rise by 5% and upgraded that to 7% in March before the latest increase.

Fears of shortages of cereals and sunflower oil from Ukraine as well as petrochemicals from Russia have added to existing inflation caused by energy and fuel price rises, and a bounce-back in demand since pandemic restrictions eased in many parts of the world.

Sales at the chain rose by 27% to £694.5m in the six months to 2 July as shoppers returned to high streets following the loosening of Covid-related restrictions. Rapid growth of Greggs’ evening meal options, such as pizza, were also a factor. However, pre-tax profits remained steady at £55.8m amid rising costs and the company said it continued to expect that profits would not rise for the year.

The retailer said it had fixed input prices for an average of five months across key areas as it tried to limit the effects of inflation.

Roisin Curry, the chief executive who took over from Roger Whiteside earlier this year, said Greggs had opened 70 shops in the first half of the year and anticipated opening 80 more by December.

“In a market where consumer incomes are under pressure Greggs offers exceptional value for customers looking for food and drink on the go. We are well positioned to