Trading Statement

Marshalls PLC 07 July 2006 Trading Statement: Six Months to 30 June 2006 Marshalls' revenue from continuing operations in the six months to 30 June 2006 was £198 million (2005: £185 million) an increase of 6.9 per cent and included £5 million from acquisitions. Revenue from continuing operations on a like for like and day for day basis was up 3.4 per cent (4.2 per cent including the additional working day). Like for like sales to the Public Sector and Commercial market which represent half of Group revenue were 8% ahead of 2005. Like for like sales to the Domestic market were at a similar level to the prior year reflecting the widely experienced slowdown in consumer spending on home improvements. The most recent survey of domestic installers' average order books was 9.5 weeks compared to 8.6 weeks at the beginning of the year and 8.9 weeks at a similar time last year. Development of the business has continued during the half year with the acquisition of Urban Engineering, a street furniture business supplying a range of shelters and associated products particularly to the Education sector. In addition, the Group has secured rights to develop additional aggregate reserves in the North West. The early performance of the three recently opened Garden and Driveway Transformation Centres at Falkirk in Scotland, Bramhall in Cheshire and Roxton in Bedfordshire has been encouraging. The interim results of the Group will be announced on Friday 8 September 2006. Graham Holden, Chief Executive, commented: 'We are pleased to have achieved an increase in revenue during the first half given the slower consumer climate and flat building materials market. We continue to see good demand in the Public Sector and Commercial market. Our initiatives to stimulate demand from consumers continue to be well received and the resilient installer order book is encouraging. We are actively developing innovative products and services to anticipate and improve customer demand. We also continue to focus on productivity improvements and keep a tight control on costs, and remain on track to deliver results in line with our expectations'. Graham Holden Chief Executive Marshalls plc 01484 438930 Ian Burrell Finance Director Marshalls plc 01484 438930 Jon Coles Brunswick Group LLP 0207 404 5959 Sarah Lindgreen Brunswick Group LLP 0207 404 5959 7 July 2006 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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Marshalls (MSLH)
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