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Online sales for pizza chain Domino's rose 17.6 percent over the holiday period.

Domino's said that Internet orders made a "significant contribution" to sales growth with online sales in the UK and Ireland up 102 percent for the six weeks to December 30, compared to growth of 43.1 percent the previous year. Total online sales for the year were 60.5 percent higher than in 2006, hitting $63 million, compared to $39 million.

Chris Moore, Domino's new chief executive said, ""Last year was a tremendous year for Domino's Pizza in the UK and Ireland. Our strong sales performance was fuelled by the strong marketing of truly innovative new products, continual improvement in customer service times which we know directly impact on propensity to re-order and the superior quality of our product".

Domino's reached its target of opening 50 new stores during the year, an increase from 46 a year ago and now has 501 stores. The company hopes to run 1,000 stores across the UK and Ireland.

"I'm excited by the prospect of leading this business forward towards our goal of 1,000 stores and to maintaining the momentum of the business into 2008 and
beyond," said Moore.