Greggs opens outlet at Sainsbury’s petrol station

Greggs and Sainsbury’s have teamed up to launch a new type of concession.

The new Greggs outlet opening in Sainsbury’s Biggleswade petrol station in Bedfordshire is set to create 12 new jobs for the area. With opening times of 6am to 9pm, it will see the retailers sharing interior space on the forecourt.

Greggs said that customers stopping to refuel will be able to choose from its freshly prepared menu including the Sausage Roll, Steak Bake and vegan alternatives, as well as options from Sainsbury’s convenience range. It added the partnership is expected to be extended to further concessions later this year throughout the UK.

“Our opening at Biggleswade will be our first with Sainsbury’s as we expand and diversify our retail estate as part of our ambitious property strategy,” said Greggs property director Tony Rowson. “The opening will allow us to provide Greggs favourites to even more customers, in a format that complements Sainsbury’s existing petrol station offer.”

The business appears on course to hit its target of 150 new outlets this year, with its fourth Tasty by Greggs café in a Primark store opening earlier this month. Greggs announced a 17.1% increase in sales for the first 19 weeks of the year, compared to the same period in 2022, with its estate standing at 2,365 shops as of 14 May.

Sainsbury’s food commercial director Rhian Bartlett said the supermarket was launching the new concept as part of an ongoing plan to transform its takeaway food offering with top brands, which would bring “even more innovative and delicious food and drink” to customers.

“This is the first time we’ve worked with Greggs and we’re delighted to be partnering with one of the UK’s favourites for freshly prepared food-on-the-go,” Bartlett added.

Reducing food waste was also noted as a top priority for Sainsbury’s and Greggs, with both retailers said to be connected to food donation networks comprising hundreds of local charities, allowing them to redistribute any surplus food from their stores to those who need it most.