Problems at grocer Asda’s online business over the festive season meant that some customers failed to receive their Christmas food orders.

A systems error at Asda’s Morley distribution centre in Yorkshire, not far from its Leeds head office, resulted in last-minute delays for shoppers and some were told on Christmas Eve that their orders would not arrive in time.

As many as 200 customers suffered delays, the Mail on Sunday reported, and 50 did not get their orders. Consumers took to the internet to vent their fury.

Asda did not disclose how many shoppers were affected by the glitch. The retailer told the newspaper: “The issue affected a small number of people in the Leeds area and those who were affected got a full refund and £100 in addition to that as an apology.”

According to consumer magazine Which? delivery problems were not uncommon generally over the festive period.

It said that as many as one in 10 online shoppers did not receive their orders, while others suffered late delivery or paid for goods which subsequently emerged as being out of stock and received refunds.

Which? said: “We’re all shopping online to find a bargain and because it can help make life a bit easier in the run-up to Christmas, but you need to be able to rely on it.”

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