Bargain-hunting shoppers bring new year cheer to Greggs and B&M

Greggs plans 150 new stores for 2023 with B&M paying £200m special dividend as consumers ‘flock to value’ amid cost of living crisis

Greggs plans to open 150 more stores this year and B&M is to pay a £200m special dividend to shareholders as both cut-price chains benefit from the search for bargains during the cost of living crisis.

The bakery chain famous for its sausage rolls and steak bakes said sales surged by 18% in established outlets in the run-up to Christmas as it shrugged off the impact of rail strikes and the cold weather to bounce back from a poor 2022, when Omicron prompted many people to avoid high streets and offices.