Big discounts 'to continue' on high street

HEAVY discounting and special offers are set to continue on the high street in 2009, the British Retail Consortium forecast today.

Shoppers have seen unprecedented price cuts on offer recently, although the BRC says consumers have still been cautious.

BRC spokesman Richard Dodd said: "There's no indication that fundamentals are going to change so customers will go on being reluctant to spend and retailers will have to go on offering big discounts and promotions in order to tempt them in, which is very difficult for retailers."

Meanwhile, childrenswear retailer Adams was today expected to become the latest national chain to enter administration. It has around 260 stores in the UK including one at Cameron Toll Shopping Centre.