Greggs is set to provide insight into customer demand as the high street bakery business grapples with the emergence of weight loss medications and cost of living challenges affecting consumers.
The chain is also contending with additional pressures including rising labour expenses and taxation adjustments. Consequently, on Tuesday March 3, Greggs is anticipated to report pre-tax profits of approximately £173 million for the year ending December 27, marking a 9% decline.
In its previous update shortly after Christmas, Greggs pointed to a strong finish to 2025 as sales growth accelerated in the final quarter of the year.
Like-for-like sales growth rose from 1.5% in the third quarter to 2.9% in the final months of 2025, reports PA. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
Totals sales were up 7.4% in the final quarter amid a boost from the group’s continued store opening programme. The company opened 121 stores last year.
However, analysts at Deutsche Bank said expectations “have already been set low” for 2026 and are “unlikely to change”.
In January, Greggs said it was “cautious but hopeful” about its outlook for 2026, highlighting “subdued” consumer confidence.
Roisin Currie, chief executive of Greggs, also warned alongside its previous update that there was “no doubt” appetite-suppressing medication is having an impact on the bakery chain’s business. Ensure our latest news and sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings
It may provide more detail on how this continues to change customer eating habits. Meanwhile, the group also announced that inflation was likely to be shallower than last year.
The group increased the price on a number of products and deals last year, so shareholders will also be keen to see how these changes have continued to impact trading.
Aarin Chiekrie, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: “Investors are keen to hear how 2026 is shaping up in the early months.
“While the picture on the cost front is beginning to look more favourable, Greggs has plenty of other challenges still to wrestle with.
“Unhelpful changes to tax rules and minimum wages, slowing UK economic growth, and cost-conscious consumers are all weighing on the outlook.”
