Landscaping products supplier Marshalls reported higher revenue in the first four months of the year against strong comparators in 2021 as people took on home improvement projects during Covid pandemic lockdowns.
Group revenue for the four months to April 30 rose 7% to £201m against the same period last year, supported by the successful implementation of price increases at the start of 2022.
Sales in public sector and commercial end market were up 14% to £137m and accounted for 68% of group revenue, with a strong new build housing market underpinning demand, Marshalls said on Wednesday.
Domestic end market sales fell 8% to £52m due to a fall in installer capacity in March and April, largely due to more holidays being taken in 2022 compared to 2021 when the country was in lockdown.
“The comparative picture is expected to progressively normalise during the remainder of the year,” Marshalls said.
“The Construction Products Association’s recent spring forecast predicts an increase in UK market volumes of 2.8% in 2022 and 2.2% in 2023, which is a modest reduction from the previous winter forecast and reflects a more uncertain trading environment. The Group continues to operate in an inflationary environment and it remains confident that input cost increases can be passed on through the supply chain.”
