Delivering the goods: the changing nature of home shopping

Having essentials brought to our front doors has a long history, says Robert Hume, but it’s so easy these days to order stuff we don’t need.

Coalmen delivering in Brighton & Hove during the 1950s. A frightening spectacle for many small children, as they tramped through their house (mybrightonandhove.org.uk).jpg

Last year, a PayPal study estimated that Irish consumers bought nearly half of their Christmas presents online. Covid was only partly to blame. Many of us simply find it more convenient.

Home deliveries were once about getting essentials into our homes. Partly, this was to keep us in touch with other people.