While many businesses have temporarily closed and furloughed staff, those that remain open have had to adapt to social-distancing measures and introduce contactless deliveries.

This has been difficult for some, especially those that did not previously deliver goods to your door. But for those who had even a limited delivery network in place, it has now become the main way of working.

Even before the pandemic, the emphasis on retail was becoming more about convenience and speedy delivery of goods, with firms such as Amazon offering same-day delivery on certain items. Retail businesses with large premises continued to struggle, with more big names struggling on the High Street, such as Debenhams.

It was all about making it easy for customers to choose – they could browse the internet at their leisure, find the best price and, a few clicks later, it is being dispatched, with real-time updates on delivery. Amazon was even trialling controversial deliveries using drones, which would completely remove the human-contact element.

Because delivery is the only way to shop for most goods at the moment, there is huge pressure on online businesses, with items out of stock and delivery times out the window. The plus side is that, unlike before the lockdown, there is little chance now that you won’t be in for a delivery.

Among the businesses near us that are currently offering delivery only, many say they are able to function because they are not currently staffing a shop and serving customers face to face, freeing up resources. They have had to move quickly to set up their delivery operation and, in most cases, it is ad-hoc, but it works.

We recently placed an order for fresh goods, giving a couple of days’ notice, and were told it could be later that day, but would realistically be the following day. Two hours later, there was a knock at the door and there it was. As with most of their customers, they knew we would be in!

The challenge will come when lockdown restrictions are eased or lifted. People who have become used to the local butcher, greengrocer or greetings card shop delivering will expect – and perhaps need – it to continue.

In order to both serve customers over the counter, as well as fulfil deliveries, bosses will have to consider taking on dedicated staff to deal with that side of the business. Many organisations would look forward to the opportunity to expand in such a way and access a previously untapped market.

As with online deliveries from supermarkets, it will not mean the end of people going into shops to choose what they want. It means businesses will have to offer a viable and sustainable alternative to meet demand.

When the restrictions are lifted and life begins to get back to normal, it will be a changed world we are returning to.

Businesses will have to adapt the way they operate and customers – many of whom may still have to work from home – will continue to need and expect deliveries to their door.