The latest high-profile high street casualty was electrical chain Comet, which closed all its 236 stores this month.

BBC: Retailers 'facing critical financial issues'

The administrators of electrical chain Comet will close its Hull Business Centre on Thursday, with the company's final 20 employees being made redundant.

BBC: Comet's last 20 workers in Hull to be made redundant

Camera chain Jessops has gone under, music and DVD group HMV has closed 66 stores, while electrical chain Comet closed its doors for the last time before Christmas.

BBC: Blockbuster to close 164 more UK stores

He said Icetech had been facing two challenges - competition from cheaper Chinese imports and last year's collapse of the Comet electrical goods chain.

BBC: Warning over collapse of Caithness freezer maker Icetech

Lai's new direct marketing venture, adMart, goes head to head with Li enterprises such as Park 'n Shop supermarket chain and electrical appliances retailer Fortress.

CNN: Newsmakers

Fashion chain Matalan said it had suspended its involvement pending a review and book seller Waterstones and electrical retailer Maplin have already left.

BBC: Burger King leaves work experience scheme for jobless

Dixons, one of Britain's biggest electrical retailers, has launched a free Internet access service, as have such copycats as Tesco, a supermarket chain.

ECONOMIST: Internet banking