Asda has becomes the second-largest online grocer in the UK, according to press reports.

The Independent cites TNS data that shows Asda boosted its first-quarter online sales by more than 70% compared to the equivalent period last year.

The performance catapults Asda over its UK rival to become the second-largest online retailer after Tesco.

The news will be regarded a blow to Sainsbury’s, which has wrestled with a number of technical issues over its website in recent weeks, causing the temporary closure of the site.