Businesses may need to diversify their sales and international couriers delivery strategy to remain competitive.

Companies are increasingly realising the need to diversify their sales channels in a bid to grow their business, according to DHL Supply Chain.

Two-thirds of UK retailers (69 per cent) believe that having a multi-channel operation is very important to their business, while nearly the same number are keen to start expanding their online presence over the next few years.

Small changes, such as the speed at which a company commits to deliver a parcel to Spain homes, could be key to businesses preventing themselves from falling behind competitors.

Commenting on the findings, DHL Supply Chain UK and Ireland non-food retail director John Boulter explained: "Companies are increasingly realising that they must embrace new channels and drive sales through media that they previously might have seen as inapplicable or superfluous to their businesses.

"Retailers need to keep abreast of these changes and new demands to their business or risk becoming outdated in comparison to their competitors."

Recent figures from IMRG and Capgemini indicate that online spending reached £5 billion in the UK last month, reflecting the highest growth over a year since 2007.