DHL's UK parcel delivery operations are being bought out, in a deal that's hoped will make the business more competitive.

Home Delivery Network, which is based in Merseyside, is buying DHL Domestic at a time when the growth in online shopping, with companies like eBay, ASOS and John Lewis doing well, is having a huge impact on parcel delivery services.

Gary Monk, chairman of the HDN, describes it as a transformational deal, which will give them a more efficient business, particularly in competing with Royal Mail.

The combined business will deliver more than 180 million parcels a year.

For customers of both companies though, it should mean business as usual for the time being.