Hermes has announced it will be the first delivery company to operate on Sundays.

The service will initially only be available to retail customers who order their items the day before. This will allow consumers to place their request all day on Saturday and be able to enjoy the purchases on the Sunday. Hermes also said that parcels would be fully tracked.

Chief executive Carole Woodhead hoped the plans would provide customers with added convenience and choice, while offering its retail clients a competitive edge. She added: "The Sunday service quite simply fits around people's increasingly busy lifestyles and is often a day they can guarantee being at home."

It is believed the seven-day service will increase levels of customer satisfaction and first-time delivery success rates.

The announcement comes as part of the company's plan for expansion, which involved opening a new £6 million call centre in Leeds. It hopes to increase its myHermes ParcelShop network from 3,500 to 5,000 in 2014.