Domino’s Pizza UK: delivers sales growth in Q3/2009

Milton Keynes / UK. (dp) Domino´s Pizza UK and IRL PLC announced interim results for the 13 week period to 27 September 2009. The company has seen an exceptionally strong third quarter with like-for-like sales in 501 mature stores rising by 10,8 percent (2008: 8,8 percent in 449 stores). This acceleration in sales has resulted in an increase in like-for-like sales for the 39 weeks to 27 September 2009 of 8,3 percent (2008: 10,5 percent). System sales for the period increased by 17,8 percent to 98,2 million GBP (2008: 83,3 million GBP), which brings system sales for the 39 weeks to 27 September 2009 to 294,5 million GBP, a rise of 16,2 percent (2008: 253,5 million GBP).

E-commerce sales for the period continue to show healthy growth, rising by 43,1 percent (2008: 77,6 percent). In the 39 weeks to 27 September 2009, e-commerce sales in the UK rose by 39,9 percent to 52,7 million GBP (2008: 37,6 million GBP) and online orders in the UK now account for 27,2 percent of delivered sales (2008: 22,6 percent).

The company has opened seven new stores during the period (2008: nine), bringing the total number opened since the beginning of the year to 30 (2008: 34), creating around 800 new jobs in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. As at 27 September 2009 the company had a total of 583 stores (2008: 535) and is well-positioned to achieve its target of 50 new store openings this year.

The Milton Keynes commissary project is progressing well and is on track to be operational as planned by the end of the second quarter of 2010. With this phase of its infrastructure development expenditure now substantially complete, the Company looks forward to utilising its continued strong cash generation in enhancing cash returns to shareholders.

Chris Moore, Chief Executive, commented: «We are particularly pleased with our strong performance during the period as the economic environment continues to be challenging. Our tactical marketing campaigns have played a major role in our success during the period, supported by the firepower of the National Advertising Fund and the deflationary media market. We still have to face some tough comparatives before the year end, but by focusing on the quality of our product and the excellence of our customer service, we are ready for the challenge. As a result of strong trading in the third quarter, the Board believes it is on track to exceed market expectations for the full year».