Retailers are operating in the worst conditions for three years, it has been claimed.
Research conducted by the British Retail Consortium shows that like-for-like sales in August were one per cent lower than the equivalent figures for 2007.
The unseasonal British weather dampened the impact of discounts, with only the food and drinks sector recording significant growth.
While seasonal food products such as salad and barbeque products were hit by the cold and wet weather, the popularity of cheaper meat products - including mince and stewing meats - soared as consumers attempted to reduce food expenditure.
Responding to the figures, the BRC has renewed its call for the chancellor to take measures to revive spending - especially as the fate of consumers and retailers are linked.
"Helping retailers keep prices down by cutting regulatory costs is the best way the government can assist hard-pressed customers," BRC director Stephen Robertson confirmed.
The fate of retailers and logistics firms are also linked, and retailers will presumably be assessing their supply train strategy in order to reduce costs.
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