A former darling of the sharemarket - Pumpkin Patch - is in trouble.

The children's clothing retailer has told shareholders that unless trade picks up, the future is not looking good.

ASB Securities Andrew Kelleher says Pumpkin Patch has been hit by competition, and supply chain disruptions.

Its share price is at record lows down under 30 cents from highs of five dollars at one stage.

"They are now saying that if they don't trade well over the Christmas period there is potential that they will breach their banking covenants which means they will need the good will of their bankers to stay in business, so a huge fall from grace."