Under a new delivery system being tested by Texaco Inc. and United Parcel Service Inc., Internet shoppers in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg can have UPS deliver online purchases to their homes or to local Texaco stations.
The test is being undertaken, according to Ron Wallace, president of UPS International, because one of UPS’s “biggest challenges” is delivering packages directly to homes when people are away at work.
If a Texaco station is chosen, the merchant’s Web site will direct the consumer to a Web page showing the most convenient locations and notify by e-mail when their purchases arrive.
“We are constantly exploring ways to bring more access, options and flexibility to our customers,” Mr. Wallace said in Atlanta-based UPS’s most recent “Global Connections” newsletter.
“Texaco has over 500 stations that we’ll test in the Benelux countries. If the test is successful, we’ll look at similar initiatives in other markets,” he added. He also said that a similar test is being considered in the U.S.
In October, Texaco agreed to merge with Chevron Corp.
Call John Flick at (404) 828-6346 or send an e-mail to jflick@ups.com