Elland, West Yorkshire-based stone and landscaping firm Marshalls plc on Thursday published a trading update that showed its sales returned to the same level as 2019 on a like for like basis in the four months ended October 31, 2020.

“The trend of sales growth has continued to increase during this period and, on a like for like basis, group sales in October 2020 were up 5 per cent compared with the equivalent prior year period,” said Marshalls.

“The key drivers of this growth have been continued strong demand in the domestic end market, a return to more normal levels of trading in the public sector and commercial end market and continued strong growth in the International market. 

“For the 4-month period ended 31 October 2020, sales to the domestic end market were up 10 per cent on a like for like basis compared with the prior year.

“The survey of domestic installers at the end of October 2020 continued to show a healthy order book of 12.8 weeks (October 2019 10.9 weeks).

“For the 4-month period ended 31 October 2020, sales in the public sector and commercial end market were 6 per cent down compared with 2019, on a like for like basis, which is a significant improvement compared with the first six months of the year when sales were down 28 per cent.

“The group continues to target those parts of the market where higher levels of growth are anticipated including infrastructure projects in road, rail and water management.

“For the 4-month period ended 31 October 2020, sales in the international business increased by 22 per cent compared with the prior year, on a like for like basis, supported by continuing strong sales from Marshalls NV in Belgium. 

“The construction and manufacturing sectors are exempt from England, Scotland and Wales second COVID-19 national lockdown restrictions.”