The number of products being delivered to consumers in the UK will rise by almost a third over the next four years, according to new research published by Barclays.

The report also revealed that while click and collect is increasingly popular as a delivery option for consumers, it is in fact the retailers that are pushing for an increase in this practice, because of course it is an affordable alternative to delivery direct to homes.

Close to three quarters of retail firms revealed that they have seen an increase in sales thanks to safe shopping online, although 30 per cent complained that their costs have increased as a result of the e-commerce boom.

Some 60 per cent of the packages delivered last year were of a size that allowed them to fit through a typical letterbox, with analysts estimating that products that match these dimensions will increase in popularity by 45 per cent by 2018.

Meanwhile the most significant amount of growth will be enjoyed by the consumer electronics sector, where 61 per cent more deliveries are expected to be made in the next four years.

Interestingly, the study revealed that the geographic makeup of certain regions will have an impact on how many people shop online. The places which offer people easy access to high street shopping in urban areas are likely to see slower growth than the parts of the UK that have fewer opportunities for real world retail access.

East Anglia is going to be at the centre of national growth for online deliveries, helping the South East as a whole to lead the market, according to ITV News.

Online shopping is reshaping the UK's retail landscape and the ability to get products delivered quickly and affordably is going to be key to growth.