Tesco slow for online shopping, says survey

Tesco's online shopping service comes under fire today in a rare setback for the giant supermarket chain.

It is criticised in a detailed survey of Britain's five biggest internet grocery services. The retailer is accused of delivering food in poor condition and a "confusing" and "slow" shopping website.

As a result, Tesco's service, Tesco.com, is ranked only third in the league table of online services, having been overtaken by an improving Sainsbury's in the past year.

The table is topped for the second year running by Waitrose's delivery arm, Ocado, praised for its unique onehour delivery slots, a fast and simple ordering process and the high quality of its food.

In the survey by Good Housekeeping magazine, Britain's five biggest online grocers were asked to deliver a "basket" of 26 items to three different parts of the country.

Tesco, which charges ?3.99-5.99 for delivery, scored 79 out of 100, up slightly on last year but behind Sainsbury's on 81. Ocado scored 85 and Asda 72.

The Tesco search facility was criticised for "bizarre suggestions". When the testers ordered out-of-stock Alka- Seltzer, they were offered dishwasher detergent.