Three-quarters of UK adults say they intend to do at least half of their Christmas shopping online this year, according to the findings of a new study carried out by package delivery firm Yodel. 

This means that logistics firms appear to be in for another strong spike in service demand over the festive period - with the trend accelerated by the growing popularity of online shopping. 

Almost a third of respondents - 29 per cent - said they have even started shopping already, so the rise in demand could start earlier than ever too. 

Executive chairman of Yodel Dick Stead said online shopping has changed the nature of the landscape in terms of how people shop - and this data can help delivery firms to ensure they are properly prepared for the occasion. 

"It's good to see that so many people have already started their shopping and we are well prepared to handle the huge numbers of orders that are still to be bought," he commented.