Domino's launches Amazon Echo voice ordering as it tackles slowing sales

Customers will soon be able to order a Domino's pizza via Amazon's voice-controlled Echo device as the fast-food chain aims to boost slowing sales growth.

The company said it also planned to introduce GPS tracking for its pizzas following a successful trial.

Domino's Pizza Group plc (DPG), the UK-based franchise of Domino's Pizza, reported first-half sales of £546.5m.

While this was a 10.5% increase on last year, it marked a slowdown on the 17% growth seen in the same period in 2016.

Like-for-like sales grew 2.4% but also represented a decline from last year's 13% growth as the firm flagged a "softer consumer environment and a slowdown in the overall delivery market".

Pre (Shanghai: 600048.SS - news) -tax profit rose 9% from £44.6m in the first six months of 2017, with the firm revising up the number of stores it plans to open.

Around 45.4 million Domino's pizzas were sold during the first half of the year.

Chief (Taiwan OTC: 3345.TWO - news) executive David Wild admitted British customers were presently "more cautious about the economic outlook", but asserted the company was "focusing on growth investment".

He said: "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-on-year 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.

"DPG 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.

"This autumn, we'll invest around £4m to improve customer value, supported by a bold new advertising campaign.

"Whilst we acknowledge that our UK consumers are currently more cautious about the economic outlook, we're focusing on growth investment with our franchisees; boosting marketing; improving customer engagement and enhancing our leading position in food delivery."