Domino’s growth sees surprise slowdown

By GARETH MACKIE
Published on 27/09/2012 04:58

BRITAIN’S biggest pizza delivery firm has suffered a slowdown in third-quarter sales growth, despite a strong rise in orders made over the internet.

Total sales at Domino’s Pizza, which operates the British, Irish, German and Swiss franchises of the global brand, rose 7.9 per cent to £136.4 million in the 13 weeks to 23 September. However, like-for-like sales growth for the UK eased to 3.7 per cent, from 4.1 per cent a year ago.

Cannacord Genuity analyst Wayne Brown said: “The degree of slowdown will come as a surprise, especially as this period should have seen a benefit from the Olympics.”

Online sales accounted for more than half of UK deliveries, boosted by a rise in smartphone orders.

Chief executive Lance Batchelor said: “We approach the fourth quarter, traditionally our strongest trading period, with continued optimism and determination.”