East Anglian shoppers are expected to lead the way in making increased use of “click and collect” online ordering this Christmas, according to Barclays.

Independent research commissioned by the banking giant shows that, across the country, retailers expect to see a 49% increase in click and collect orders, which allow shoppers to pick up their goods when it suits them rather than stay at home waiting for a delivery.

In East Anglia, retailers expect to see 51% increase in click and collect, the highest figure recorded in any UK region or nation.

The predicted increase over last year, when 5.7million people used click and collect in Christmas week, comes amid increased confidence, with 70% of retailers nationally saying they feel more optimistic than a year ago – a finding largely reflected in East Anglia where the figure is 69%. Most retailers (71%) now see click and collect as critical to their business success and nearly half (43%) are investing in the option.

Jane Galvin, managing director for corporate banking at Barclays in the East, said: “According to a recent report one in 10 consumers fell victim to late deliveries last Christmas and it’s clear to see how click and collect offers a practical alternative solution.

“Amazon has also recently partnered with Royal Mail, allowing shoppers to collect their parcels from their local Post Office, and I believe we will increasingly see this kind of tie-up.”