Marshalls reported an 8% rise in revenue and a 16% increase in pretax profit in the first half of the year, amid strong demand for the installation of driveways and patios.
Older homeowners are behind much of the increase in demand, as changes to the rules enable them to access funds from their pensions, according to chief executive Martyn Coffey. They are looking to improve rather than move, and Marshalls is feeling the effect of that, he said.
Public-sector and commercial business is up 3%.
