Domino's Pizza UK & IRL plc (the 'Company' or 'Domino's'), the UK and Ireland's leading pizza delivery company, will be holding its Annual General Meeting at 1pm today.
Stephen Hemsley, Executive Chairman, will make the following statement:
'I am pleased to report a strong start to the year with system sales in the 16 weeks to 20 April 2008 ahead 21.3% (2007: 24.0%) to £105.3m (2007: £86.8m). In the same 16 weeks, like-for-like sales in the 450 mature stores (2007: 404 stores) were up 13.3% (2007: 14.6%). This growth was driven by our successful product and marketing innovations and our continuing focus on improving operational standards, and in particular, improving the delivery times to our customers.
E-commerce has continued to show robust growth with an increase of 95.2% to £15.3m (2007: £7.8m) in the same 16 week period and now comprises 21% of all our UK delivered sales.
'We are very encouraged by the strong start to the year, but are mindful of the demanding comparatives over the summer last year driven by the particularly poor weather. Nevertheless, our eight week sponsorship of Britain's Got Talent on ITV1 has just commenced and early indications are that viewing figures are exceeding our expectations having attracted a peak audience of over 10 million in the first week of the programme and over 11 million in the second week*. A further eight week sponsorship of America's Got Talent on ITV2 then follows on in the summer and our brand prominence during these shows should have a positive impact on our sales over this period. Prospects for 2008 remain good notwithstanding these demanding comparatives.
'A total of 13 new stores have opened as of today's date (2007:14) and as a result of having more sites in the pipeline with planning approval than at the same time last year, we are confident, at this stage, that we are on track to reach our target of 50 store openings this year.
On 19 February 2008, Domino's announced its intention to move to the Official List. This process has been proceeding well and is on track for completion on 19 May 2008.
As a result of our strong trading and on-track store openings for the full year, we anticipate results for the financial year to be ahead of current market expectations.'
* BARB (Broadcasters' Audience Research Board) overnight figures
For further information:
Domino's Pizza
Chris Moore - Chief Executive Officer 01908 580604
Lee Ginsberg - Chief Financial Officer 01908 580611
Numis Securities Limited 020 7260 1000
David Poutney, James Serjeant, Nick Westlake
Altium 020 7484 4040
Ben Thorne
Hogarth 020 7357 9477
Fiona Noblet, Anthony Arthur
Notes to Editors:
Domino's Pizza UK & IRL plc is the parent company of Domino's Pizza Group Ltd ('DPG') which holds the exclusive master franchise to own, operate and franchise Domino's Pizza stores in the UK and Ireland. DPG is the leading player in the UK and Ireland's fast-growing pizza delivery market. The first UK store opened in 1985 and the first Irish store opened in 1991.
As at the 24 April 2008, there are 514 stores in the UK and Ireland. Of these, 408 stores are in England, 39 are in Scotland, 19 are in Wales, 12 are in Northern Ireland and 36 are in the Republic of Ireland.
As part of a commitment to delivering more to the communities served by its stores, Domino's Pizza Group Limited is proud to support Special Olympics GB and Special Olympics Ireland.
Founded in 1960, the Domino's Pizza brand is the recognised world leader in pizza delivery. Through its primarily franchised system, Domino's Pizza operates a global network of more than 8,000 stores in more than 50 countries.
For photography visit www.dominos.uk.com or contact The Hogarth Partnership Limited on 020 7357 9477. High resolution images are also available for the media to review and download free of charge from www.vismedia.co.uk
