Online retailers booked an increase in sales of at least 55% during the second quarter of this year, as shops closed because people were urged to stay home.

In particular retailers with both a highstreet and an online presence benefited from the surge in online shopping, national statistics agency CBS said. Their sales rose 68% between April and June, while online-only stores saw sales growth of 45%.

The popularity of online shopping also boosted postal company PostNL, which increased second quarter revenue from parcel deliveries by 28% to €516m.

Online retailers outside the Netherlands also benefited from the stay at home policy, booking orders worth some €700m from Dutch clients.

Meanwhile, figures from ING suggest the number of direct debit transactions has fallen just 5% since the government imposed its partial lockdown on the Netherlands last week.

During the first lockdown, the number of transactions involving direct debit cards fell by 20%. In particular, the figures show that cafes and bars are better able to cope, by switching immediately to take away services, economist Marten van Garderen told broadcaster NOS.