Marshalls Regulatory News (MSLH)

Trading Update: 5 July 2016

Trading Performance

Marshalls' revenue for the 6 months ended 30 June 2016 was up 2 per cent at £202 million (2015: £199 million). This reflects a stronger sales performance in May and June compared with the first 4 months of the year. UK revenue in these 2 months was 5 per cent up compared with the 2015 comparatives.

The revenue improvement in May and June was particularly strong in the Domestic end market where year on year growth was 12 per cent. Sales in the Domestic end market represented approximately 32 per cent of Marshalls' sales in the 6 months ended 30 June 2016. Despite the improved sales performance, the survey of domestic installers at the end of June 2016 revealed order books remaining strong at 11.7 weeks (2015: 12.0 weeks). This compared with 12.4 weeks at the end of April 2016.

Sales in the Public Sector and Commercial end market also picked up over the last 2 months and were 2 per cent ahead of the prior year period. Sales in the Public Sector and Commercial end market represented approximately 63 per cent of Marshalls' sales in the 6 months ended 30 June 2016.

Outlook

Notwithstanding the potential for uncertainty following the result of the EU Referendum, the underlying indicators remain positive. Marshalls continues to be well placed to deliver the growth initiatives set out in the 2020 Strategy and continues to drive through sustainable cost reductions and improvements in operational efficiency.

Marshalls will issue its Half-yearly Report on 26 August 2016. This will include a further update of both trading performance and the outlook for the Group.

Enquiries:

Note to the Editor:

About Marshalls:

Established in the late 1880s, Marshalls is the UK's leading manufacturer of superior natural stone and innovative concrete hard landscaping products, supplying the construction, home improvement and landscape markets. Marshalls provides the product ranges, design services, technical expertise, innovative ideas and inspiration to transform gardens, drives and public and commercial landscapes.

Marshalls operates its own quarries and manufacturing sites throughout the UK, including a national network of manufacturing and distribution sites, and has operations in Belgium and sales representation in other international markets. As a major plc, Marshalls is committed to quality in everything it does, including the achievement of high environmental and ethical standards and continual improvement in health and safety performance.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Any statements in this release, to the extent that they are forward-looking, are subject to risk factors associated with, amongst other things, the economic and business circumstances occurring from time to time in the markets in which Marshalls operates. It is believed that the expectations reflected in these statements are reasonable but they may be affected by a wide range of variables which could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated. More information about the factors that may affect Marshalls' performance is contained in the Annual Report to shareholders for the year ended 31 December 2015.