UK High Street: More retailers hit by consumer squeeze

Tough times are continuing for UK retailers with Thorntons set to shut up to 180 stores and Carpetright saying it may close as many as 50 outlets.

Chocolate maker Thorntons said it would shut "a minimum" of 120 shops over the next three years, with the possibility of an extra 60 closures.

Carpetright could close up to 50 shops when their leases run out if it cannot get the rents reduced, it said.

Meanwhile, store chain TJ Hughes is set to go into administration.

If it does, it will join three other retailers who announced over the past week that they had called in administrators in the face of tough trading conditions.

These are fashion retailer Jane Norman; the owner of Moben and Kitchens Direct, Homeform; and furniture firm Habitat.

Rent for the past three months was due last week, and insolvency experts said this had brought a number of High Street names "to their knees", with more set to follow. (from BBC)

And Channel Island Retail sales I don't think are much better...

with all the empty shops in town not yet being let it looks like things are not going to get any better in the near future...somuch for honeybill saying the shops would be full in a matter of months..total tosh and more closing down x

He will have them full...........by hook or crook .they will be used for the photograph studios free for them to show off their displays ..crafty eh!