24 January 2012 Last updated at 10:43 ET

Retail round-up

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
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 December 30, 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 administration but 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. Hopes a 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.
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.