Texaco is preparing to set up pick-up points for goods bought online at its 1,500 UK service stations.

The service would aim to attract commuters who may find it more convenient to drop into a service station than to have a parcel delivered at home during working hours.

The service could make online shopping cheaper.

"It takes an average 2.2 trips per successful delivery, and having a collection point would bring this down to one, reducing the need for parcel firms to go to people's homes and hence reducing costs," said Datamonitor's oil analyst, Mike Phillips.

Space

Shops that are open late could develop a similar service, Mr Phillips said.

And the pick-up points could be extended to offer a wide range of services, such as postal delivery and dry cleaning.

But first, the inherent problem of limited space at service stations would have to be solved.

"There are drawbacks with service stations operating as collection points," Mr Phillips said.

"They often don't have many staff or may not have the room."

"One idea is to have lockers from which shoppers can collect their order," he said.