There has been a steep decline in the survival rates for high street stores and staff going into administration since the start of the year, according to research by FRP Advisory.

The firm's figures show that the store survival rate so far this year is 32%, down from 67% at the end of2011. Six major high street administrations (Dreams, HMV, Jessops, Blockbuster, Axminster Carpets and Republic) are responsible for the closure of nearly 1,350 stores, and FRP Advisory says that if HMV had closed in its entirety, then the store survival rate would have fallen to 22%.

The six major administrations this year accounted for the loss of around 8,500 jobs, while the overall staff survival rate in 2013 to date is 43%, down from 66% at end 2011.

Glyn Mummery, partner at FRP Advisory, said: 'The proportion of stores and staff that survive administration has fallen during Q1 2013, to well below 50% for the first time, compared to a two thirds survival rate enjoyed at the end of 2011. This dramatic fall in high street retailer survival rates post administration offers a sobering barometer of economic confidence in the high street.'

In total, between December 2011 and April 2013, FRP Advisory calculates 37 major high street retail administrations have affected a total of more than 69,000 jobs and over 6,000 stores. More than 35,000 shop staff to date have lost their jobs post administration from those major retailer administrations.

Mummery warned that there is little evidence of recovery in the retail sector, while the economy is 'lumbering under an army of zombie companies which are only remaining solvent due to a combination of low interest rates and minimal creditor pressure - a situation which is unlikely to last.'