Domino's savours sales increase

Delivery chain Domino's Pizza said today it was "well-placed" for the year after wet weather and successful product launches boosted sales.

The group, which serves a network of 470 franchises in UK and Ireland, said profits before tax increased 35% to £8.3m (€12.35m) in the 26 weeks to July 1, fuelling confidence that it will exceed profit hopes for the full year.

The six-month period included the company's second most successful launch on record, following the debut of the "Meateor" pizza, while a Simpsons-themed pizza and two new side orders also drove up average ticket sales.

Domino's faced tough comparisons because of the World Cup in 2006, but cooler temperatures and increased rainfall meant like-for-like sales from 404 stores open for more than year were up 14.9% on a year earlier.

Shares rose by more than 3% as Altium Securities said Domino's appeared to be "firing on all cylinders".

It raised its profit forecasts for the third time this year, meaning Altium now expects a figure of around £17.5m (€26m).