UK's Domino's Pizza sees slow start in second quarter

(Reuters) -Britain's Domino's Pizza Group said on Wednesday the second quarter started off slower than the year-ago period after it reported a dip in sales and lower orders in the first quarter.

The company, which operates and franchises Domino's stores in the UK and Ireland, said like-for-like sales on a comparable basis were down 0.5%, with orders down 0.8% for the 13 weeks ended on March 31.

Delivery orders were down 5% in the first quarter, although Domino's expects the delivery market to return to growth in the full year.

Domino's had curbed marketing spending in January to support the launch of a loyalty programme and other initiatives resulting in a slower start to the first quarter. Sales, however, witnessed a positive growth in February and March despite an uncertain market, the company added.

The group reiterated its underlying core profit forecast for the year within the current mean range of 144.3 million pounds to 151.8 million pounds ($180 million-$189.4 million).

($1 = 0.8017 pounds)

(Reporting by Radhika Anilkumar in Bengaluru; Editing by Eileen Soreng)