Do Marshalls read Landscape Juice

I have followed the Marshalls story very closely in the last year or more as the market for hard landscaping materials deteriorated, leading to Marshalls closing down its point of sales areas at their heavyside yards.

I very much considered Marshalls as reacting to the market rather than anticipating trends and sticking to a well founded plan.

In a previous post I said - Marshalls PLC says 'outlook uncertain' as orders decline

"Garden designers and landscapers will be shifting to a minimalist approach with an emphasis on softer garden features. Lawns, vegetable areas, children's play areas and simple soft seating and eating areas will be very much in demand.

"My aim would be to retain the display areas and start designing small patios with integral eating and relaxing features and partner with outdoor furniture makers with a view to promoting living and steer emphasis away from gardens being a status symbol on a league table."

Marshalls have now launched their Campaign for Better Landscapes and I spotted a couple of quotes in Hort Week that seem to suggest that Marshalls are indeed changing their focus again - do they read Landscape Juice I wonder?

"There is no doubt that the UK's landscape is changing in front of our eyes. People are looking at ways of living more sustainably and this is having a direct impact on our surroundings.

"Saving money may be the trigger for people to start preparing their garden areas for growing their own but there are a large number of benefits related to emotional and mental well-being that are becoming a lot more apparent,"

(quote:Chris Harrop - HW)

Comments

[Gabino Carballo CMLI]

Marshall, as well as many other PLC's in the last three decades, have long relied on business inertia and financial leverage to further their business model, based on continous shareholder profitability growth and agressive marketing practices.

Once easy credit dissapears, this business model is no longer valid and hence, the incredibly quick way this crisis is affecting businesses. Easy credit created an artificial business environment where companies that were no longer competitive or focused on costumers needs managed to survive and even compete in the marketplace.

This is fast coming to an end: we are going to see a lot more companies going bust and/or merging to survive in the next few months.

[Philip Voice]

I agree with you Gabino

[Gerald Monk]

One imagines that they do not read it, or if they do, they will studiously ignore it! Gabino, you are spot on!