Worldwide shipping firms that offer parcel delivery services for consumers buying goods online may be in line to benefit from a growth in internet shopping.

Being online is now seen as a major part of the business for any retailer, who can offer a wider range of goods on a shopping site, according to professor Joshua Bamfield at the Centre for Retail Research.

He pointed out the importance that online shopping may have for retailers in the future.

"Theoretically, in 20 years it could be that 60 to 70 per cent of their business comes from online [sales]," professor Bamfield suggested.

His comments appear to be backed up by the latest IMRG/Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index, which showed that July was another bumper month for firms that sell goods online.

Internet sales in the month were worth £5 billion, up by 18 per cent since last July.

However, professor Bamfield also suggested that many of these retailers jumping on the internet bandwagon may not be making much of a profit and are concentrating on jockeying for market share.