Domestic market hits Marshalls

Building materials firm Marshalls blamed a disappointing domestic market for a flat performance in the six months to 30 June.

In a trading statement issued to the City this morning, the company said domestic installers’ average order books ended the period at 8.9 weeks compared to 10.2 weeks at the beginning of the year and 11.9 weeks at the same time last year.

Marshalls said it does not expect the domestic market to improve.

The company said sales to the public sector and commercial market remained healthy.

Sales, excluding acquisitions, were down 1.3% compared to the same time last year at £170.5m. Including acquisitions, sales were up from £172.7m last year to £185.1m.