The latest survey of the retail sector suggests that sales in the make-or-break fourth quarter may deteriorate further.
Unveiled by the KPMH/SPSL Retail Think Tank, the latest Retail Health Index is reading 92 points for the third quarter of this year and is expected to fall to 84 in the final quarter, based on a figure of 100 taken at March 2006.
Think tank member Professor John Dawson said: "Quarter four will definitely be the quarter where consumers will make or break retail businesses.
"Some smaller, weaker, just plain unlucky or poorly financed retailers will fail in the coming weeks and months."
Meanwhile, Arcadia boss Sir Philip Green has warned that the future of the high street looks "brutally tough".
Profits at Arcadia have fallen from £199 million to £188 million in the year ending in August and figures show that Debenhams has experienced profit losses of 16 per cent.
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