Greggs makes huge change to UK stores to tackle major problem
Reports suggest Greggs has been forced to move some items behind counters in at least five branches to deter thieves
Greggs has started putting sandwiches and bottled drinks behind counters in some stores to stop shoplifters. These items are normally found at the front of shops in self-service fridges.
But reports suggest Greggs has been forced to move them behind counters in at least five branches to deter thieves. One of these includes Greggs in Whitechapel, East London.
One worker told the Sun: 'The stealing before was so bad. I couldn't put a number on how many thieves came in every day.' Other shops are said to have had screens installed at the counter or have introduced full-time security guards.
Greggs told the paper: 'This is one of a number of initiatives we are trialling across a handful of shops which are exposed to higher levels of anti-social behaviour. Safety of our colleagues and customers remains our number one priority.'
It comes after an investigation by the Sun found thieves were targeting some Greggs shops every 20 minutes. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed a total of 516,971 shoplifting offences were logged by forces in 2024, up 20% from 429,873 in 2023.
Greggs has more than 2,600 shops across the UK. In better news, Greggs has just released its summer menu - including a new bake. The new Red Pepper, Feta & Spinach Bake has just landed on shelves, alongside new Korean chicken menu items.
This includes the Korean Crispy Chicken Burger and Korean BBQ Chicken Wrap, plus the Korean BBQ Chicken Flatbread and Spicy Korean BBQ Chicken Baguette.
Those looking for a veggie option can try the new Cheese and Onion Roll. Other additions include a focaccia style Chicken, Sweetcorn & Red Onion Pizza, which is available by the slice, or in boxes of four of six slices.
Meanwhile, Greggs is set to open seven new discount outlet stores this year. Greggs Outlet sells surplus food including sausage rolls and bakes at super cheap prices.
You can typically find discounts of up to 75% off - so for example, a four-pack of sausage rolls costs £1.85 in Greggs Outlet, which is 46p a sausage roll. You would normally pay around £4.35 for a four-pack of sausage rolls in a regular Greggs store.
Greggs has 38 outlet stores. The sausage roll chain originally wanted to increase this number to 50 in 2025, but it is now aiming for 45 stores. Greggs has not revealed the locations for its new Greggs Outlet stores.
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Leader Live
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Telegraph
a day ago
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Scottish Sun
a day ago
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Greggs is making a big change to its loyalty scheme this month and it will be easier to get freebies
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) GREGGS is giving its popular loyalty scheme a major refresh this month – and fans can now get freebies faster. The bakery chain, which has branches across the UK, kicked off a new month-long promotion on 2 June, offering customers double stamps on selected menu items when buying between 11am and 2pm. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 The final week, 23 to 29 June, will feature double stamps on all iced drinks Credit: Alamy 3 With this promotion, customers could earn two stamps per purchase – cutting the time it takes to grab a freebie in half Credit: Alamy The offer is running in four weekly phases, with a new product category featured each week. This week (June 2–8), all hot, cold and made-to-order sandwiches qualify for double stamps – including baguettes, wraps, flatbreads, burgers and rolls. Meal deal fans won't miss out either, as they'll get stamps on all eligible items in their basket, as long as their lunch falls within the promotion window. From 9 to 15 June, the spotlight turns to "Hot Snacks", while between 16 and 22 June, it's the turn of the bakery's popular range of bakes, though the famous Sausage Roll and Vegan Sausage Roll are excluded. The final week, 23 to 29 June, will feature double stamps on all iced drinks. Customers earn one stamp per qualifying purchase in a category, and after nine stamps, they can claim a free item in that category. With this promotion, customers could earn two stamps per purchase – cutting the time it takes to grab a freebie in half. To take advantage of the offer, shoppers just need to scan the Greggs App in-store or order via click-and-collect. If you're not already signed up, downloading the app also gets you a free hot drink – and a sweet treat on your birthday. Full list of eligible items: Sandwiches (June 2–8) Baguettes Sliced bread sandwiches, stotties and made-to-order Oval Bites and Rolls Flatbreads Wraps Burgers (Excludes breakfast rolls/baguettes and sandwich platters) (Excludes breakfast rolls/baguettes and sandwich platters) Hot Snacks (June 9–15) Southern Fried Chicken Goujons Southern Fried Potato Wedges Spicy BBQ Chicken Bites BBQ Bites Meal Box Crispy Chicken Bites Mozzarella & Cheddar Bites Bakes (June 16–22) Steak Bake Cheese & Onion Bake Sausage, Bean and Cheese Melt Vegetable Bake Corned Beef Bake Chicken Bake Red Pepper, Feta and Spinach Bake Scotch Pie Haggis Pie Bacon & Cheese Wrap Savoury Mince Pie (Excludes Sausage Rolls and Vegan Sausage Rolls) (Excludes Sausage Rolls and Vegan Sausage Rolls) Iced Drinks (June 23–29) Iced Latte Iced Caramel Latte Iced Vanilla Latte Iced Caramelised Biscuit Latte Iced Americano Cloudy Lemonade Strawberry Lemonade Mint Lemonade Peach Iced Tea Mango & Strawberry Cooler
