Almost a third (31 per cent) of consumers plan to do all their festive shopping online this year, more than a four-fold increase from last Christmas, according to research from parcel delivery firm Yodel.

Last year, 7 per cent opted for online-only gift-buying.

Yodel's latest research is based on an online survey of 27,165 of its customers.

“Consumer experience of doorstep delivery during the pandemic, alongside a growing lack of choice on the high street, will see a surge in demand for online shopping this Christmas,” maintained Yodel.

Three-fifths - 61 per cent - plan to adopt a hybrid approach to buying gifts this festive season, doing part of their shopping online and part in-store.

This approach is being driven by young people, with almost seven in ten - 68 per cent - of 18-24s planning a hybrid Christmas shop, compared to just over half - 55 per cent - of over 75s.

Four-in-ten - 40 per cent - said they would start their shops earlier than they had previously done, but almost a quarter - 23 per cent - said they would be spending less this Christmas.

Mike Hancox, CEO of Yodel, said: “This year looks like it will be particularly intense as the consumer appetite for e-commerce continues to grow. To cater to this increased demand we are recruiting over 4,300 new staff for a range of roles across the business this festive season.”

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