The present invention relates to a gram positive bacterium, preferably a lactic acid bacterium (LAB) or Bifidobacterium, with increased stress resistance and/or improved manufacturing, processing and/or storage characteristics. In particular, the invention relates to a gram positive bacterium which accumulate intracellular trehalose. The gram positive bacterium according to the invention lack trehalose 6-phosphate phosphorylase (TrePP) activity. The gram positive bacterium may further lack cellobiose-specific PTS system IIC component (ptcC) activity. The gram positive bacterium may further overexpress trehalose transporters. The invention further relates to compositions comprising such gram positive bacterium as well as methods and uses thereof.