Jonathan Sowman reports that larger carriers may benefit the most from the Internet shopping boom.
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Along with many others. Amazon and eBay have opened up the internet shopping business dramatically over the past few years. Large retailers also offer home delivery for their produce from food to furniture,
This makes more work for couriers, whose services are taken on by the large online retailers. But there are obstacles. Customers will often place an order, then be absent when it is delivered. This means the driver must take the package back to the local distribution depot, and another driver deliver it to the customer.
Alan Savage, managing director of Milton Keynes courier London Link, says the overall effect of this will be an increase in evening deliveries. He also believes the increase in internet shopping will slow. "People will always like actual shopping."
However TV shopping according to analyst firm Verdict, will continue to grow. In 2005 TV sales shot up 18.5% to £949m. TV shopping channels are a minor part of the market but will be boosted by the 2008 phase out of analogue systems.