Christmas looks like it is going to be “rather messy” for retailers this year, according to Accenture managing director of strategy Kelly Askew.

With shoppers avoiding crowded spaces and many enjoying the convenience of online, after relying on the channel more and more this year, Christmas 2020 is predicted to be an ecommerce one.

Yodel chief executive Mike Hancox admits: “There’s no hiding from the fact that this year is going to be like nothing we’ve seen before.

“We’ve been operating at ‘peak’ levels since March, with volumes up 20% compared with a ‘normal’ year, and are forecasting Christmas 2020 to be another 20% on top of that.”