Companies: GRG   

The bakery concern revealed plans to undergo something of a face-lift, boosting shares 6%. Full year pre-tax profits and turnover both gained 6% to £21.5m and £309m respectively, marking the sixth consecutive year of growth. A new shop design has been developed in two formats, one for urban chic, the other for leafy suburbia. Electronic point of sale technology will be rolled out to 200 outlets this year, while the new central savouries unit at Balliol Park has been complemented by a £2m technical centre opening next month. Further expansion is on the menu, with a target of 61 new shops for 2000. Balanced by closures of small outfits and lower traffic locations, this will give the group an increase of 25 shops.