Domino’s Pizza has recorded a 23% half-year profit, thanks in part to the success of its mobile app, suggesting start-ups can learn from companies that use their apps to help generate sales.

The pizza franchise is celebrating a $12.6 million half-year profit, up 23% on the corresponding period last year, partially as a result of its popular app.

The Domino’s app enables customers to order and track their pizza orders from mobile devices. This has led the company to upgrade its earnings growth for this financial year by about 20%.

According to chief executive Don Meij, Domino’s is migrating to a pure digital environment, with an ambitious target of 50% of all local sales originating from mobile devices and online by the middle of the year.

StartupSmart identifies three other standout company apps:

Jim’s Group

In May last year, it was revealed some franchisees buying into Jim’s Group will gain access to an iPad, complete with company apps, to help them better manage their business.

“The iPad apps will allow franchisees to conduct back office admin while on the go,” Jim’s Group chief executive Richard Reid said.

Franchisees are able to receive call centre leads, schedule appointments, create and email quotes and invoices, use the signature pad for payment and take photographic records of their work.

There is a compliance checklist, and a library of information and images for franchisees to access, in addition to the social media channels that will help them build brand awareness.

Franchisees are also able to monitor jobs and profit targets to better direct time and effort.

Country Road

Country Road announced in August the launch of new smartphone applications, in keeping with the company’s “never lose a sale” mantra.

The fashion retail has introduced a “product availability locator” that allows internet users to make a purchase or see if an item is available – in real time – at their nearest store.

“We’re using that functionality to integrate with our in-store operations and we’re calling it ‘never lose a sale’,” Country Road group general manager for IT Steve Binns said.

“Once you’ve selected a style, a colour and a size, you’d never get that item out of stock because if it’s on the site, it’s in stock somewhere in the chain.”

Customers are able to complete transactions on the apps in addition to browsing the inventory.

Sportsgirl

Earlier this week, Sportsgirl launched its Windows Shop app, which allows users to point their phone at a photo gallery of the latest looks and scan in a QR code.

The code will take them to an mCommerce platform where they can purchase the item and have it delivered to their home the next day.

Sportsgirl strategic brand manager Prue Thomas says mCommerce is a perfect fit for the retailer because of its mobile-savvy client base.

“Mobile and online sales are really fast-growing channels for us and, in terms of investment for the business, mobile is probably the key area of focus in the next 12 months,” she said.