Greggs PLC (LON:GRG) is to reopen 800 shops to takeaway customers on Thursday, moving onto opening its whole estate by early July.
The high street baker anticipates sales may be lower than normal for some time, however, as it will not be able to operate at full capacity, due to social distancing rules and the small size of its stores.
READ: Greggs will enjoy strong demand when it reopens stores, HSBC analysts believe
This means some staff, both in store and in manufacturing sites, will remain on full or partial furlough until sales levels begin returning to normal, it added.
The FTSE 250-listed chain expects to open 60 new stores and close another 50 during the year, while it has accelerated the development of delivery and click and collect options.
Shares advanced 4% to 1,722p early on Tuesday.
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