The group is keen on unlocking the potential of the landscape market.
Marshalls has nailed its colours firmly to the mast with its significant annual investment in landscape installations.

The group's intent is to 'pull through' demand, improve the product mix and continually develop the Marshalls brand with the installations arm a key part of its 'core' business.

"The objective is to deliver a level of service that is 'second to none'. Market research suggests that our target consumers are relatively recession proof and that they recognise that a new driveway or garden will add value to their property," it said in a statement.

Marshalls added that only 20% of domestic sales are diy with 80% being do-it-for-me projects, where the 'market is more resilient as many of these consumers are in the higher wealth and income groups'.

By Easter 2008 there will be eight operational Display Centres. It is anticipated that there will be two further Display Centres established by the middle of 2008.

In its domestic market, Marshalls said like for like revenue was slightly ahead of 2006, having been adversely affected by the unusually wet weather in June and July 2007.

In the year to December 31, it said pre-tax profits rose 1% to £42.1m with sales rising 6.6% to £402.9m.

Sales prices and mix were around 4% ahead of the prior year whilst volumes were down by around 3.5%.