Asda is to focus on converting smaller stores to its new IT systems for the remainder of the year to avoid disruption over the busy Christmas period.

The conversion is part of Asda’s Project Future transformation, which it has termed Europe’s largest systems implementation programme, involves the separation of more than 2,500 systems from its former owner Walmart.

The supermarket believes the changes will give it “the best systems in the grocery sector”.

For the remainder of the year, Asda will convert the systems in around 850 sites, including petrol station sites, smaller supermarkets and Asda Express convenience stores.

Asda chief digital officer Matt Kelleher said: “We’re continuing to deliver different aspects of the programme at pace, while being mindful of any potential impact on colleagues, customers and suppliers during the busiest period of the year.”

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The conversion of its larger superstores and complex depots will accelerate from early January, following the peak trading period.

Asda said it was a “sensible and pragmatic” approach for the business over the busy festive period, and noted “it was the right thing to do for customers as it will help to give them the best possible Christmas”.

It added that the remainder of Project Future continues “at pace” as it works towards a full separation from Walmart’s systems, with the changes to give Asda the ability to make improvements quickly, fine-tune its operations and maximise its data capabilities.

As part of the effort so far, the retailer has already completed the migration onto several new systems including finance, checkouts, HR and payroll, CRM, depots, its clothing brand George.com and a new store picking system.

Over the past nine months, that has involved the introduction of 16,500 new checkouts and 28,000 Scan & Go devices across its stores, the full conversion of 20 depots, the migration of over 9.6 million historic George orders to a new online platform, and the launch of a new store picking system to streamline the processing of over four million items daily from delivery to store shelves.