Baker Greggs says it will create 6,000 jobs

by AFP - 21/10/2009

"The baker Greggs, a seller of sandwiches and pastries, announced a plan Tuesday to open at least 600 shops in Britain in the coming years, creating 6,000 jobs."

The group also said in a management statement that sales so far this year had increased 3.8 percent compared with the same period of 2008.

"The growth opportunities within (Britain) are significant," it said.

"It remains our belief that a further 600-plus shops can be opened in the medium term with little cannibalisation from our existing shops. This will take our shop numbers above 2,000, making us accessible to many more customers and creating some 6.000 new jobs."

The company said it hoped to open 50-60 new shops in 2011 and then at least 70 per year starting in 2011.

The retail food industry has been the only sector to hire employees since the start of the financial crisis in September 2008.

Supermarket chain Morrison has said it hopes to create 5,000 jobs this year while Sainsbury is looking at 3,000-4,000 new posts and Tesco 6,500.

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