A supermarket chain has stepped up its bid to gain a

slice of the UK’s furniture market by launching an online sales service.

Asda wants its George range to become a £500m-a-year business that will take on the likes of MFI and Argos.

Sofas, tables beds and other items were added to the supermarket’s website earlier this week.

Customers get free delivery within 28 days from teams who take away all packaging to be recycled.

The online launch follows a report from market analysts Verdict that said MFI would lose its crown as the UK’s top furniture retailer to Argos by the end of this year.

Peter Pritchard, MD of Asda’s non food business, said: “By Easter, we will treble the number of products available online, taking the total offer to more than 300 items of fine furniture.”

Asda’s furniture range launched in a trial at seven ‘Living’ stores and 26 supercentres a year ago.