Almost half of UK adults have been receiving more parcels during lockdown according to research by Royal Mail.
The research found that 45% of adults in the survey were receiving more deliveries, and for 36%, it was the highlight of the day.
Online shopping is predicted to remain important or even more so, with 66% saying the current amount they spend and 68% saying the current frequency of their purchases will continue post-lockdown.
Little difference in spending patterns was noticed between age groups, with 52% of 18- to 34-year-olds receiving more packages as well as 43% of over 55s.
There were some regional differences, with 53% of respondents in the East of England receiving more packages compared with Northern Ireland, which reported the smallest increase of 30%.
Shane O’Riordain, managing director of marketing, regulation and corporate affairs at 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.”