Greggs has posted a rise in sales and a 14% boost in first-half profits as it maintained its full-year guidance amid easing inflation.

Following 'strong trading momentum', the bakery retailer's pre-tax profit hit £80m for the 26 weeks to 1 July 2023, up from £55.8m during the same period last year, Retail Gazette has reported.

Total sales increased to £844m from £694.5m for the period as company-managed shop sales on a like-for-like basis rose 16%.

Greggs said its strong performance, the ease in cost inflation alongside new store openings, as well as growing evening trade and repeat visits driven by its loyalty app meant its forecasts for the year were unchanged.

The company said: "Whilst uncertainties in the economic outlook remain, we continue to trade in line with our plan and are making good progress against our strategic objective to grow the frequency of customer visits through new channels."

"The strong trading momentum of the first half has continued into the second half of the year, with good sales reflecting the exceptional value that Greggs offers to customers who need food and drink on-the-go."

Analysts are expecting Greggs to report pre-tax profit of about £163m for 2023, Refinitiv data shows, up 10% on the previous year.

Just last week Punchline-Gloucester.com reported that Greggs has unveiled plans to open cafés in several Sainsbury's stores  before the end of the year. Sainsbury's closed 200 of its own in-store cafés in 2022, including in Gloucester and Cheltenham.