Greggs has opened a new shop in Gatwick Airport’s South Terminal – a move which marks its first airport site in London and eighth in the UK.
Having generated 50 new jobs in total, the shop will be open 24 hours and is twice the size of a typical Greggs shop at 1,600 sq ft. It is located at the South Arrivals and sells the full Greggs menu, which includes freshly prepared salads and sandwiches, savouries and bakes, breakfast items, Fairtrade coffee, sweet treats, and hot food options such as potato wedges and chicken goujons.
The food-to-go retailer said the Gatwick opening represents a major milestone in its expansion strategy, which focuses on extending beyond the high street to key transport hubs across the UK.
While it has built a strong presence in traditional towns and suburban locations, a key aspect of its future growth plans will centre on targeting high footfall locations that cater to travellers, commuters, and drivers, bringing Greggs to more customers, broadening customer appeal and driving loyalty, the firm added.
Other 2023 shop openings in key transport hubs include Glasgow International Airport, Cardiff Airport, Shepherds Bush Tube Station, and Canary Wharf Station in London, building on the openings in Liverpool Street Station, and Birmingham and Liverpool airports just last year.
The new site also represents ‘significant step’ towards Greggs’ goal of opening 150 net new shops in 2023, following a record 147 net new shop openings in 2022.
Other openings this year include its first concession at a Sainsbury’s petrol station as well as more sites under the Tasty by Greggs branding which are found in Primark stores in major cities.
“We want Greggs to be accessible, wherever, whenever and however our customers need us. That’s why we are now focusing on growth in travel locations, so that we can continue to adapt to our customers’ needs and lifestyles and bring Greggs to more people,” said Tony Rowson, property director at Greggs.
“Our versatile shop formats, new digital channels and relationships with our franchise and wholesale partners have enabled us to adapt our offering and expand in many new locations such as supermarkets, shopping centres and key transport hubs, like the Gatwick Airport,” Rowson added.
“This new shop is also indicative of the next generation of shop refits and will feature state-of-the-art design to ensure our customers have a brilliant experience when they visit us.”
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