Each fixed double decker can save over £90k p.a. (over 120k miles), compared to the equivalent single deckers, reducing running costs by 34% or more.

Estimates suggest that, once fixed double deckers become widely used for retail distribution, overall savings for the UK’s domestic road freight distribution network will reach over £1 billion per annum.

It is the obvious cost savings of double decking – carrying more goods in fewer vehicles, cutting fleet size, mileage and expenditure – that has driven the pallet and parcel carriers to go almost exclusively ‘double deck’ on their trunk runs.

Retail distribution has been slower to respond to these potential savings, but is starting to catch up now, with Tesco and Boots leading the way.