Time-strapped consumers will no longer have to drag themselves out of their cars to buy a litre of milk or loaf of bread any more, thanks to a new drive through service pioneered by SuperValu at its Carrigaline store in Co. Cork.

Customers will be able to place their orders online and then pick up their shopping without having to enter the store by using the drive through facility located at the store. All customers will have to do is press the intercom button at the drive through and state their name and order pick up number to customer services.

Martin Kelleher, managing director of SuperValu, said that the grocery chain, which recently rebranded the Superquinn brand as SuperValu, hopes to roll out the service to a "number of stores" by the end of the year.

“We realise that many of our customers have a very busy lifestyle or may find it difficult to come instore, and this convenient service will save them time and effort when it comes to doing the necessary weekly shop,” he said.

Tesco also operates a “click and collect” service at its Clarehall Shopping centre in north Dublin and Maynooth.

The service operates in a similar way to SuperValu’s new offering, and customers can register online at Tesco.ie, do their shopping online and collect their groceries at collection points in the aforementioned outlets.