24 September 2012 Last updated at 08:55 GMT

High Street retailers: Who has been hit hardest?

The High Street has been suffering in the consumer downturn. Customers have been watching their pennies amid concerns about high inflation and job security.

Here is some of the retailers who have been hit hardest over the past year.

Company	UK employees	UK stores	Troubles faced	Steps taken
JJB Sports	4,000	180	Sales have been in decline for five years as the overindebted firm was unable to compete with the pricing of its far more successful rival Sports Direct.	Announced plans on 24 September for an imminent prepack administration following the failure of an attempted sale of the company over the summer.
Clinton Cards	8,300, of which 4,800 are full-time posts	More than 750 shops, including 139 Birthdays stores	Sales have been hit as consumers rein in spending, while the retailer has also faced competition from supermarkets and the internet. Also, two loans to the firm from UK banks were sold to Clinton's largest creditor - American Greetings - and then immediately called in.	Went into administration on 9 May. On 7 June it was announced that US firm American Greetings was buying nearly 400 stores, saving 4,500 jobs. In total, more than 350 shops, including all of its Birthday stores, have closed or are due to close.
Aquascutum	250	10 stores and 16 concessions	New owners, who bought the 160-year-old brand in 2009, were unable to stop the losses amid tough economic times in the UK. Crucially, it doesn't own the right to sell its luxury products in fast-growing Asian markets.	Went into administration on 17 April. Up to 30 out of 115 jobs were saved when administrators agreed to sell the Corby factory Swaine Adeney Brigg The brand, including the UK stores, has been sold to Hong Kong's YGM Trading.
Ellie Louise	439	97	Cash flow problems caused by both "challenging" trading conditions, and buying the Trade Secret brand in 2010.	On 2 April it was announced that the clothing retailer Ellie Louise had gone into administration. On 20 April Liric Limited announced purchase of 57 stores.
Game Group	5,800 in the UK and Republic of Ireland	600	The High Street games retailer has seen increasing number of customers switch to online rivals. The company is also saddled with debts linked to its £74m purchase of rival GameStation in 2007. As a result of its financial woes, it confirmed on 13 March that its key suppliers were now refusing to do business.	On 21 March, Game Group announced that it intended to file for administration. On 1 April administrators announced the sale of Game's 333 stores to investment firm, Baker Group.
Peacocks	9,600	611 stores and 49 concessions	The discount fashion chain, which was bought in a management buyout from the founding Peacock family in the mid 1990s,was struggling to refinance its £240m debts.	On 18 January, Peacocks entered administration. Administrators KPMG cut 249 HQ jobs on 19 January, leaving 266 staff at the head office. On 23 January, the firm's Bonmarche chain was sold to Sun European Partners. Sun will continue to run 230 stores but will close about 160, making 1,400 staff redundant. The store closures mean it will continue to employ about 2,400 of Bonmarche's 3,800 strong workforce.
Pumpkin Patch	400	36	The consumer downturn in the UK has seen the children's clothes firm struggle in the past six months.	The firm appointed administrators Deloitte on 19 January for its UK business. It closed five branches, making 60 staff redundant. The remaining stores will continue to trade as a buyer is sought.
Past Times	500	51	The gift retailer entered administration on 16 January. Administrators KPMG claimed the firm was a "casualty of difficult trading conditions for the retail sector."	Before administrators were appointed, the company closed 46 stores resulting in 507 job losses and closed 72 "pop up" stores. KPMG made 67 redundancies on appointment and is looking for buyers for all or parts of the firm.
Blacks Leisure	3,500	300	The outdoor goods company, which operates the Blacks Outdoor and Millets chains, reported a £16m loss in October and expects below-par Christmas trading. Shares have fallen 90% since January as supermarkets offer strong competition.	On 9 January, JD Sports confirmed it bought Blacks for £20m. The sportswear retailer confirmed that any "underperforming stores" would close, but did not say how many. The group has about 100 Blacks outlets, about 200 Millets branches and owns the Peter Storm and Eurohike brands.
Hawkin's Bazaar	380	65	"In common with many retailers, the group has experienced exceptionally challenging trading conditions of late," said Peter Saville of joint administrators Zolfo Cooper.	Entered administration on 30 December 2011. On 20 January, the firm was sold in a management buy-out. Administrators Zolfo Cooper closed 57 of the stores, making about 300 staff redundant. The remaining eight stores will stay open and trade under the Hawkin's Bazaar name.
D2 Jeans	400	47	James Stephen, from BDO LLP, said "extremely difficult trading conditions" had hit the sector.	Entered administration on 29 December 2011. Administrators closed 19 UK stores and laid off 200 shop workers at the Ayrshire-based firm. D2's other 28 stores are being run as a going concern while a buyer is sought.
Barratts	3,840	191 stores and 371 concessions	Has "faced a downturn in trading as a result of the difficult economic conditions".	Entered administration on 8 December. On 30 December, it announced 1,610 redundancies after failing to find a buyer for the concessions part of its business. Administrators still trying to find a buyer for Barratts' 173 High Street stores, which remain open.
La Senza	2,600	146 stores and 18 concessions	Blamed High Street "trading conditions" and the economic environment.	On 9 January, the firm went into administrationbut 60 of its stores were bought by Arabian retail group Alshaya, saving some 1,100 jobs. However the remaining 84 stores and 18 concessions will close, resulting in 1,300 job losses.
Jane Norman	1,600	89 stores and 82 concessions	Has experienced "severe cashflow difficulties" and depressed sales, resulting in debts of £140m.	Entered administration on 27 June. Edinburgh Woollen Mill bought 33 of its stores. However, 95 stores and concessions have closed permanently, resulting in 382 staff losing their jobs.
Habitat	900	33	Low consumer confidence has made it difficult for retailers of big ticket items such as furniture, and the home furnishings store made continuing losses. It also faced increased competition from cheaper rivals such as Ikea.	Went into administration on 24 June. Home Retail Group (HRG) bought the Habitat brand and three central London stores. HRG has retained 150 staff, although the remaining 750 staff were made redundant.
Carpetright	About 2,700 in the UK	559 in the UK and the Irish Republic	Continued weakness in the housing market has led to reduced consumer spending on items such as carpet and flooring. Sales fell 5.2% in the second quarter.	Has closed 38 stores since March 2010. Announced £4m cost-cutting plans in October but gave no further details.
HMV	6,500	285	Sales of CDs and DVDs have been undermined by competition from supermarkets and online downloads. HMV reported a six month pre-tax loss of £45.7m with like-for-like sales falling 11.6% in the half year to the end of October. It also reported weak Christmas sales.	Has closed numerous stores and is refitting others as it attempts to refocus on new technology sales. Has sold its Waterstone's book stores and its Canadian music retail business. Has also announced it may sell its live music section. Hopesa deal with its banks and suppliers will halve its large debts.
Focus DIY	Just under 4,000	180	Another retail victim of the weak housing market.	Entered administration on 5 May. Since then, 55 stores have been sold in three separate deals, securing up to 900 jobs. A further 3,000 staff were made redundant.
Homeform	1,300 staff in showrooms plus 1,500 fitters and designers	160 showrooms	The owner of brands such as Moben, Kitchens Direct, Sharps Bedrooms and Dolphin, has also suffered from the weak housing market.	The Sharps Bedrooms business has been sold. The operations of Moben, Dolphin and Kitchens Direct have been closed down, with 557 staff made redundant, although the administrators are still trying to sell the brands.
High Street casualties TJ Hughes	4,000	57	Falling sales at the department store chain led to the loss of supplier and credit insurer confidence.	Entered administration on 30 June. Lewis's Home Retail has bought six stores but another 42 have closed with about 2,200 staff made redundant.Its flagship Liverpool store reopened in September.
Thorntons	4,375	591 stores, including 227 run by franchisees	Weaker footfall on the High Street has led to a fall in sales at the chocolate retailer. In September, it reported a full-year loss despite record sales. It issued a profit warning in December predicting it would only break even in the current financial year.	Has said it will close up to 180 shops over the next three years. Is seeking to grow sales via its website and its commercial division, which sells Thornton-branded chocolate via supermarkets.