HERTFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND - Tesco opened Britain??s first drive-thru supermarket earlier this week, a concept that enables shoppers to pickup online orders without leaving their car, NewsScotsman.com reports.

After placing an online order with the retailer, consumers reserve a two-hour window during which they are required to collect their groceries. The service incurs a flat ?2 ($3.10 U.S.) service fee, which is the same or less than Tesco??s home delivery charge, which starts at ?2.

Upon arriving at the drive-through location, Tesco staff load customers?? orders in a dedicated parking area.

The innovative retail model is being tested at the company??s Hertfordshire store. Pending its success, Tesco plans to expand it to other areas of the country.

"This will be especially popular with busy mums who have the school run and children's activities to manage," said Laura Wade-Gery, chief executive of Tesco."It also offers a solution to parents who want to avoid the challenge of shopping in a busy store with children in tow but can't afford the time to stay in for the shop to arrive to their door. ?? We also expect it to help young professionals who want the convenience of a pre-picked and packed shop, but who cannot commit to waiting at home for delivery."

Tesco.com generated sales of more than ?2 billion ($3.1 billion U.S.) in the year to March, with more than one million UK households regularly ordering goods from the site.