Greggs trialling groundbreaking new change to stores
Ella Scott
Featured Image Credit: Roger Utting Photography/Getty Images
Further change is afoot at Greggs as the beloved bakery chain has begun rolling out its new in-store experience to customers across the country.
2026 has seen some stellar launches from Greggs, including: introducing Gen Z’s ‘favourite’ drink, iced matcha; bringing back the Red Pepper, Feta and Spinach Bake; and detailing where its first overseas store will be situated.
The grab-and-go favourite has also recently completed its ‘iconic’ sausage roll trilogy with the Chicken Sausage Roll and shared a new ‘mouth-watering’ breakfast item.
And it isn’t just the start of the year looking tasty as the baked goods retailer plans to install Greggs vending machines to ‘provide convenience for customers’, and shortly begin trialling another new experience.
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The Sun reported that the chain wants to make the process of grabbing your favourite pastry even smoother and faster than before.
To do so, the company is introducing the first-ever Greggs Expres.
The store, situated at Glasgow Airport, is part of the brand’s franchise partner, Motor Fuel Group’s petrol forecourt.
For the first time, Greggs has swapped traditional counters and tills for self-service checkouts, akin to those found in major supermarkets, such as Lidl and Sainsbury’s, as well as Subway, KFC, and McDonald’s.
The Greggs Express concept is designed to speed up the entire bakery experience, allowing customers to grab a signature Steak Bake, sweet treat, or Faitrade hot drinks with ease.
Several more travel hubs across the UK are expected to get their own Greggs Express by the end of the year.
And if the public perception is positive and the concept can be perfectly refined, then you can perhaps expect to see an outlet in your area sooner, rather than later.
Speaking to The Grocer about the new Greggs Express store, Tony Rowson, property director for the company, said: “Greggs Express is our latest concept being trialled to help us enhance our customer experience, focusing on convenience and speed.
“The units will allow customers to grab their favourite bake or serve coffee themselves, ideal for customers on the move,” he added.
“Working with MFG, the trial will help us understand dhow this format can support our growth ambitions alongside our broader estate growth plans, while continuing to deliver the great-tasting food and value our customers expect.”
It was revealed earlier this month that Greggs’ meal deal prices, including its breakfast offering, would rise in price.
Anyone heading into their local chain will have to pay £3.20, rather than £3.15, for a roll with bacon, sausage, omelette, or vegan sausage and a regular hot drink or juice.
Meanwhile, the core lunch deal, which was once priced at £4, will now set you back £4.25, and The Big Deal, previously £5, is now £5.25.
The good news is that the prices of individual products, such as fan-favourite pizza slices, sausage rolls, and confectionery treats, have not changed.