The UK food-to-go and coffee chain's third annual sustainability report – The Greggs Pledge – outlines key milestones including launch of Greggs’ first Eco-Shop, reduced manufacturing food waste and 30 ‘Outlet’ shops
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Greggs has applied sustainability initiatives from its Eco-Shop into more than 250 of its stores nationwide | Photo credit: Greggs
Greggs has reported significant progress towards its 2025 sustainability targets and has set out 10 targets to achieve by the end of 2023.
First launched in 2021, The Greggs Pledge sets out ten commitments to help develop a better business and build stronger, healthier communities.
Greggs, which operates more than 2,320 stores across the UK, highlighted several key sustainability milestones to date, including opening 789 Breakfast Clubs, which cater to more than 49,000 children every school day, and reducing manufacturing food waste by 10%, as a percentage of sales.
Additionally, Greggs has opened 30 of its 50 planned ‘Outlet’ shops, which sell day-old food products at reduced prices, launched its first Eco-Shop in July 2022 and applied sustainability initiatives from the store into more than 250 of its sites nationwide.
Sustainability inititaives being developed at the Eco-Shop include recyclable flooring, cistern-less and air assisted toilets, eco-ovens, heat pump air curtains and solar control glass.
“When we first launched The Greggs Pledge, we committed to being transparent about - and accountable for - the areas where we believe we could drive the most change in making the world a better place. I am pleased to report that we are on track to meet each one of our ambitious targets that we set out to achieve by the end of 2025 making us both a stronger and better business,” said Roisin Currie, CEO, Greggs.
To ensure it is on track to meet all 10 commitments by 2025, Greggs has set out updated targets to achieve by the end of 2023.
This includes reaching 850 Breakfast Clubs, reducing food waste created in manufacturing operations by an additional 10%, launching a further eight Outlet shops, operating 400 stores which feature elements of the Eco-Shop format and using 25% less packaging, by weight, than in 2019.
“As we look to the year ahead, we are in a strong position to continue to make significant progress. By giving good food a second chance and redistributing it to those in need and reducing food waste, to implementing initiatives that directly tackle climate change, like continuing to switch to renewable energy, and ensuring we are committed to workplace diversity and inclusivity,” Currie added.
Greggs achieved 23% year-on-year sales growth to reach £1.5bn ($1.8bn) for the 52 weeks ended 31 December 2022.
The value-focused chain, which is seeking to open 150 net new stores in 2023, has extended opening hours and delivery availability across its estate to drive sales growth and will trial 24-hour drive-thru stores this year.