It was a difficult Christmas period for Morrisons as like-for-like sales dropped 2.5 per cent for the six weeks to 30 December.

The Bradford-based grocer claimed a lack of an online delivery service had pushed consumers towards its rivals during the festive period.

Chief executive Dalton Phillips revealed that the retailer could make an announcement on a groceries website to coincide with the release of its full-year results in March.

'We are looking very closely at it; we like what we have seen so far,' said Phillips.

However, despite all the progress made by its rivals in the online sector, Phillips remains convinced Morrisons has not missed the boat.

He said: 'This is a market where for 12 years people haven't made any money. We're not too late to the party. It's still only five per cent of the market but it is growing very quickly. In some cases, there are last-mover advantages.'

The retailer, which is looking to open 70 convenience stores in the UK by the end of the year, admitted it was 'disappointed' with its performance over Christmas.

'Notwithstanding these difficult market conditions, which we expect to continue through 2013, our sales performance in the period was disappointing, reflecting the need to improve our promotional innovation and the communication of our points of difference.'

Morrisons will be hoping a new advertising partnership with TV duo Ant and Dec can help to boost sales this year.

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