Quarter One Interim Management Statement

RNS Number : 5167B

Domino's Pizza Group PLC

04 April 2013

 



4 April 2013

DOMINO'S PIZZA GROUP plc

Quarter One Interim Management Statement

13 weeks to 31 March 2013

Domino's Pizza Group plc ("Domino's", "the Company" or "the Group"), the leading pizza delivery company with stores in the UK, Germany, Republic of Ireland and Switzerland, announces its Interim Management Statement covering  the 13 week period to 31 March 2013 ("the period") unless otherwise stated.

The Company has made a solid start to the year with system sales rising by 12.3% to £164.1m (2012: £146.2m) driven by strong like-for-like sales growth in the latter part of the quarter. Despite the disruptive impact of the snow early in the quarter, like-for-like sales in the UK in 670 mature stores increased by 6.6% (2012: 4.1% in 615 mature stores) thanks to sales of new products such as the Domino's Hot Dog Stuffed Crust, a successful short-term price led promotion and some weaker comparative figures due to warmer weather last year. In addition, like-for-like sales, in Euros, in the Republic of Ireland have been resilient  throughout the period and rose by 8.1% (2012: 1.5%).

The growth in e-commerce continues apace with 61.9% of all UK delivered sales (2012: 49.8% of UK delivered sales) coming via the internet. Sales taken through all online platforms were up 38.4% to £82.4m (2012: £59.5m) and, of this, 25.2% was taken through a mobile device (2012: 16.4%).

During the period, seven new stores (2012: six) were opened - five in the UK and two in Germany - and with a large number of locations in the pipeline, the Company aims to open 60 new stores in the UK and 18 in Germany this year.

The expansion in Germany continues to progress well and the Company is already seeing some very successful stores, especially among our fledgling franchised community. Like-for-like sales, in Euros, in the six mature stores (2012: two mature stores) are showing encouraging progress from a low base and are up 40.3% in the period (2012: 3.7%). High performing UK franchisees are continuing to lead the way in the German expansion, with the first German franchisee about to come on board. The Company continues to roll out corporate stores too and there are plans in place to accelerate the training programme needed to deliver store managers in the required numbers. Plans for a new commissary in North Rhine Westphalia are also moving forward and it is anticipated that this will be open in Quarter Four this year.

The Swiss market is also undergoing radical change. An intense programme of staff retraining, improved menu development and the new marketing initiatives are already paying off with the stores showing good growth over recent months. Like-for-like sales, in Swiss Francs, in the 10 mature stores are up 9.3% for the period.  As planned, two stores have been closed as part of the overhaul of the estate and plans are well underway for the store refit and relocation programme this year.

Lance Batchelor, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "Domino's continues to show that there are still significant opportunities in our core UK and Republic of Ireland markets as well as the new territories of Germany and Switzerland, and we are in a great position to seize those opportunities.

"New product launches, a relentless focus on service, industry leading digital and online technology, an ever growing marketing budget, and a healthy pipeline of new sites are just some of the ways we continue to drive this terrific business forward.

"We know that the ongoing economic pressures are leading to a tough trading environment and we have extremely tough comps in the second quarter to overcome as well as food cost increases coming through during the year, but, with first class franchisees and a strong head office team, I expect, at this early stage in the year, that trading will be in line with market expectations for 2013."

-Ends-

For further information, please contact:

Domino's Pizza:

Lance Batchelor, Chief Executive Officer                      01908 580604

Lee Ginsberg, Chief Financial Officer                             01908 580611

MHP:

Tim McCall, Simon Hockridge, Naomi Lane                  020 3128 8100

Numis Securities Limited

David Poutney, James Serjeant                                         020 7260 1000

Notes to Editors:

Domino's Pizza Group plc is the leading player in the fast-growing pizza delivery market and holds the exclusive master franchise to own, operate and franchise Domino's Pizza stores in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg. The first UK store opened in Luton in 1985 and the first Irish store opened in 1991. In April 2011, the Group acquired a majority stake in the exclusive master franchise to own, operate and franchise Domino's Pizza stores in Germany. In September 2012, the Group acquired the master franchise for Switzerland, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein and an option to acquire the Master Franchise Agreement in Austria prior to the end of 2014.

As at 31 March 2013, there were 810 stores in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Germany and Switzerland. Of these, 626 stores are in England, 51 are in Scotland, 32 are in Wales, 20 are in Northern Ireland, one is on the Isle of Man, two are mobile units, 48 are in the Republic of Ireland, 20 are in Germany and 10 are in Switzerland.

Founded in 1960, Domino's Pizza is one of the world's leading pizza delivery brands. Through its primarily franchised system, Domino's Pizza operates a global network of more than 10,000 Domino's Pizza stores in 75 international markets. Domino's Pizza has a singular focus - the home delivery of pizza, freshly made to order with high quality ingredients.

Customers in the UK can order online at www.dominos.co.uk, in the Republic of Ireland at www.dominos.ie, in Germany at www.dominos.de and in Switzerland at www.dominos.ch. In addition, mobile customers can order by downloading Domino's free iPhone, iPad and Android apps.

 

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