Marketing strategies such as using promotional labels look set to become increasingly common in the next few months.

According to Deloitte, many retailers believe sales revenues are well below where they should be.

As a result, the organisation believes that a recession in consumer spending may be starting to unfold.

Richard Hyman, strategic retail advisor to Deloitte, said this has led to many retailers offering sales and discounts in an attempt to get shoppers opening their wallets and purses.

Speaking to the Financial Times, he commented: "A lot of the promotional activity we're seeing is borne out of a deep-seated need to turn stock into cash."

However, accountancy company BDO is optimistic that spending activity will increase during April 2011.

The group said factors such as the royal wedding, three bank holidays and possible good weather will make the desire to spend "hard to suppress".

"April will be a much better month for retailers," said Don Williams, BDO's national head of retail and wholesale.

Denny Bros Ltd, 11 April 2011