Greggs is making a killing on its healthy food gamble

Greggs, the bakery chain synonymous with cheap pasties, sausage rolls, and greasy convenience foods, just made a killing from its gamble in turning itself into a healthier food store.

The retailer has been trying to reinvent itself as a "modern, well-invested food-on-the-go retailer" to rival the likes of Pret A Manager.

To do this, it has launched things like salads, no added sugar drinks, and soups. Morning coffees are also one of its fastest-growing products.

And it's significantly paying off.

The group said in its preliminary results statement for the 52 weeks to January 2, that it will hike its dividend by 30% to 28.6p after profits soared by 50%.

Total sales rose by 5.2% to £835.7 million and 'Balanced Choice' range of healthier options now accounts for 10% of total sales, confirmed the group.

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