In lockdown, a parcel in the post is highlight of the day

FOR many people, having a parcel delivered is the highlight of the day during lockdown, research by the Royal Mail has revealed.

Parcel deliveries were up by 31 per cent between March 30 and May 3, it said, as the nation has increasingly turned to online deliveries now that most shops are closed.

Only essential retailers have been allowed to open since the lockdown was announced on March 23, with others having to rely more and more on home deliveries to serve their customers.

The survey by the Royal Mail found that 45 per cent of people have been receiving more parcels since lockdown began, with 53 per cent saying that receiving parcels has become more important to them. Just over a third of people said that receiving a parcel had become the highlight of their day.

Shane O’riordan, from Royal Mail, said: “Keeping the nation connected in these unprecedented times is of vital importance to us. It is perhaps unsurprising that for many customers, receiving an item that they have ordered online from our postmen and postwomen can really brighten up their day in such challenging times.”

There is also evidence that the shift online is set to continue after lockdown, as four in five respondents said they intend to keep ordering items for delivery at the same level after restrictions are lifted. Around a quarter of people said they would spend even more online once lockdown ends.

The increase in ordering online is not just among younger people.

While those aged 18 to 34 were the most likely to have increased online shopping, more than four in 10 over55s have done the same. While some retailers have successfully managed to adapt to making the bulk of their sales via online delivery, others have struggled.

Last month, Andrew Goodacre, the chief executive of the British Independent Retailers Association, warned MPS that one in five high-street shops could close permanently as a result of the pandemic. Some retailers, including Oasis and Debenhams, have fallen into administration in recent months with analysts saying more could follow.

Meanwhile, earlier this month consumer complaints service Resolver reported that complaints about online deliveries quadrupled from mid-march to mid-april when compared with the previous month.