Domestic markets hit Marshalls profits

Landscape products specialist Marshalls has reported lower half year profits - and predicted that domestic markets would remain challenging.

Pre-tax profit for the year to 30 June fell 8.5% to £24.2m on revenue up more than 7% to £185.2m. Operating profit was down almost 4% to £27.6m.

Order intake and despatches since the end of the half year have been at a similar level to the previous year.

Public sector and commercial demand remains robust, it said, but domestic markets are expected to remain challenging reflecting weaker consumer confidence.