A parcel delivery company with a strong customer satisfaction rating is at a greater premium than ever today, if a new online shopping study is anything to go by.

The study by marketing company 1&1 Internet, has found that online shoppers have evolved high expectations of online retail services and products.

It is believed such demanding customers will want a courier with the ability to match these expectations.

Around 43 per cent of participants in the survey said they expected quicker parcel delivery, while 30 per cent expect greater customer service from a retailer with an online outlet.

The research also showed one in three respondents think multi-channel operations – those containing an online presence - is equally as significant, as having a physical shop.