Gail's, the upmarket bakery chain, has announced plans to open 40 new stores across England over the next year. The expansion will target locations beyond London, building on the 36 new cafes opened in the last financial year, including its first sites in the south west.
Recently filed accounts show that sales surged by approximately 20 per cent to £278 million in the year to February 2025. However, pre-tax losses widened to £7.8 million, from £7.4 million, driven by significant investment in new stores and increased staff costs.
The company now employs more than 4,000 staff, up by about 500 from the previous year. Gail's also operates a wholesale business supplying baked goods to retailers such as Waitrose and Ocado, though directors described the wholesale market as “very competitive”.
Directors noted that the retail arm, comprising its bakeries, is the “faster growing and more profitable part” of the group. They added: “But the market also remains very competitive and we recognise that to be able to grow we must continue to provide innovative world-class food in attractive neighbourhood bakeries.”
