The analyst firm said retail traffic fell in the month by 5.3 per cent year on year, leaving retailers vulnerable to 'Darwinian forces'.
According to SPSL director of knowledge management Dr Tim Denison, the month was the worst April, in terms of traffic, for 7 years, ushering in a period of 'survival of the fittest' for weaker retailers.
He said: 'This latest figure follows the trend which began in November with footfall into retail outlets slowly declining. The fall of 5.3 per cent is however greater than many would have liked to see and presents troubled retailers with further challenges.'
The figures paint a gloomy picture of the UK economy on the eve of the general election and after two key sector-leading retailers indicated that trading was likely to be slower for them this financial year than the previous 12 months.
Denison said that the figures would be unwelcome and untimely for Tony Blair. 'However, taken as part of the broader canvas, some will see them as a positive step towards rebalancing the economy with consumer spending at levels more appropriate to an economy targeted and managed to grow below 3 per cent per annum,' he said.
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