...but many are on the brink

THE number of shops in trouble before Christmas has soared by 22%.

Nearly 44,000 retailers are in “financial distress”, up from 35,800 last year, according to a report by industry experts Begbies Traynor.

Partner Julie Palmer blamed “unprecedented strain on household budgets”. She added: “With Christmas Day just around the corner, retailers have all but run out of time to turn around their ailing fortunes after a disappointing few weeks of trading.”

It comes amid fears Toys R Us could collapse. The chain’s creditors will today be asked to back a rescue plan.