CITY CONCERNS

Domino’s Pizza has inked an agreement with Amazon Echo that will enable voice ordering for customers as it looks to boost slowing sales growth.

The delivery chain is launching what it calls an “industry first” with voice ordering through Amazon’s Echo device, as well as introducing GPS tracking for its pizzas.

Chief executive David Wild said yesterday: “Domino’s Pizza continues to lead the pizza market, with innovations such as the popular Lotta-chocca pizza and our launch today of Amazon Echo voice ordering.

“Following a successful trial, we’ll be rolling out GPS, which will enable customers to track their delivery and help franchisees with labour management.”

The firm said the introduction of GPS tracking will provide “significant labour savings” for the franchisee, while also enhancing the overall online consumer experience.

The group reported first-half sales of £546.5 million which, while a 10.5 per cent increase on last year, represented a slowdown on the 17 per cent

0 The chain is launching voice ordering through Amazon’s Echo device

GEORGE SALMON, ANALYST growth seen in the same period in 2016. Like-for-like sales grew 2.4 per cent, a marked decline on last year’s 13 per cent growth as the firm flagged a “softer consumer environment and a slowdown in the overall delivery market”.

Pre-tax profit rose 9.1 per cent to £44.6m, with the firm to shortly open its 1,000th British outlet.

Wild told investors: “The first half of 2017 has been another period of good progress for Domino’s Pizza Group, despite a more uncertain UK economic environment. The core business delivered strong year-onyear system sales, continuing to take pizza market share, with good like-for-like performance.

“We’ve had a record six months in the UK, opening 40 new stores and have consequently raised our expectations from 80 to 90 this year.

“I’m delighted we’ll shortly be opening our 1,000th British unit and we are well on track to achieve our goal of 1,600.”

The group is recommending an interim shareholder dividend

“The worry is that the group might be bumping up against the sides of the tank far earlier than it previously thought”