Pret A Manger sees off DIY sandwiches

Sandwich chain Pret A Manger is to open 15 shops in London this year after today reporting sales growth of 12 per cent and 2009 operating profits up 10 per cent.

Chief executive Clive Schlee said the post-financial meltdown trend for packed lunches was short lived.

"Immediately after Lehmans collapsed and the world was in financial meltdown, we did see consumers shift away from buying their lunches, but that didn't last very long.

"By 2009, everything was back on track and the second half of the year was very strong indeed, a trend that has continued into this year."

He said the company invested in more staff on the tills at the start of the recession to speed up service. Pret will introduce a 99p organic, fair trade filer coffee into its London stores next week.