Sales figures for May were down 2.2 per cent on last year and stores across the country have cut products by up to 50 per cent in order to lure shoppers in. As well as bargain deals on offer at supermarkets, high street giants Debenhams and House of Fraser have started their summer sales today, while Gap, Boots and Topman are also making reductions in the hope of boosting sales. A spokesman for Debenhams told the Daily Mail: "The scheduled in-store and online sale, which starts slightly earlier than last year, begins today and falls against a continuing backdrop of food inflation at a two-year high and a 19 per cent rise in gas bills." The recent rise in the cost of living has certainly put consumers under pressure - a study published by R3 today revealed that the number of people in "financial distress" is at the highest level ever seen and six million Brits admitted to falling behind with bill payments.