Co-op to re-stock empty shelves as it recovers from major hack

14 May 2025, 09:34

Co-op sign
Co-op’s new growth strategy. Picture: PA

The group said it is getting its online systems back on track in a ‘safe and controlled manner’.

The Co-op has said availability in its shops and website will start to recover from this weekend as it brings its systems back online following a major cyber attack.

The Manchester-based group said it is working closely with suppliers to restock its stores after the hack caused significant disruption across its retail chain and led to bare shelves in many of its shops.

It said it is getting its online systems back on track in a “safe and controlled manner” after being forced to shut down some of its systems to contain the attack.

The group said there will be improved availability in its food shops and online from this weekend, with its stock ordering system now fully online again.

The mutual added it is also now able to accept all forms of payment, including contactless and chip-and-pin.

A spokesperson for Co-op said: “Following the malicious third-party cyber attack, we took early and decisive action to restrict access to our systems in order to protect our Co-op.

“We are now in the recovery phase and are taking steps to bring our systems gradually back online in a safe and controlled manner.”

Exterior view of a Co-op shop
The Co-op’s stock availability has been hit particularly hard by the attack (Alamy/PA)

The mutual is among a number of retailers, including Marks & Spencer and Harrods, to have been hit by hacks in recent weeks.

M&S, which has been grappling with the fallout from a highly damaging cyber attack since Easter weekend, revealed on Tuesday that personal customer data had also been stolen by the hackers.

M&S has not been able to take any orders through its website or app since April 25 as it tries to resolve the problem, although all stores remain open.

The National Crime Agency has said it is investigating the attacks individually but is “mindful they may be linked”.

The Co-op’s stock availability has been hit particularly hard by the attack on its systems and shoppers faced empty shelves because of the continued fallout.

The group was reportedly prioritising supplies of essential items in some badly affected stores.

It had also revealed that hackers stole members’ personal data, such as names and contact details.

The group was unable to take card payments in some shops, with contactless also affected, although the majority of the retailer’s 2,300 shops have been able to take usual forms of payment.

Co-operative Group chief executive Shirine Khoury-Haq last week apologised to customers for the disruption, saying it was a “highly sophisticated” attack.

The firm – which also runs businesses spanning funeral services and insurance – is holding its annual general meeting for members in Manchester on Saturday.

By Press Association

More Technology News

See more More Technology News

Wes Streeting leaving No 10 Downing Street

DNA technology in line for £650m investment in bid to fight serious illness

Over 1,000 devices are thought to have been affected by the malware.

Minecraft players targeted by criminals posing as coders in ‘malicious’ attack

Amazon is facing a probe by the grocery sector regulator (Niall Carson/PA)

Grocery watchdog investigates Amazon over late payment to suppliers

Cybercriminals and hackers have been given "unprecedented access to personal credentials" for logins linked to Instagram, Microsoft, Netflix, PayPal, Roblox, Discord, Telegram, and GitHub

Apple, Facebook and Google users urged to change passwords following colossal data breach

Studio Ulster launch

Cutting edge virtual production at Belfast studio ‘most advanced in the world’

Prada renewed its eyewear licensing agreement with Luxottica for the next decade in December.

Meta eyes up Prada deal with luxury AI-powered smart glasses as it announces plans to release Oakley eyewear

A huge fireball shot into the air

SpaceX rocket explodes into huge fireball before launch as Elon Musk faces fresh setback

A hand on a laptop

Some people with learning disabilities struggling to access banking – report

AI prompt chat bot

Artificial Stupidity: AI chatbots are making users less intelligent, researchers say

A mother taking away a smartphone from her young daughter

Pressing need to address challenges of parenting in digital era – report

Pathology services provider Synnovis was the victim of a ransomware attack by a Russian cyber gang in June last year

Russian gang’s cyber attack on blood services ‘harmed 170 patients’

23andMe fined millions by watchdog after ‘profoundly damaging’ cyber attack exposing genetic data

23andMe fined millions by watchdog after ‘profoundly damaging’ cyber attack exposing genetic data

Scotland 2050 conference

‘Destructive’ social media will transform politics ‘for a generation’ – Forbes

View of Centre Court full of spectators watching a game at Wimbledon All England Lawn Tennis Club Championships. Wimbledon.

Wimbledon adopts AI for 2025 Championships with All England club introducing in-match analysis

Th new feature that lets you and a friend pair up and match with other pairs

Tinder launches 'double date' feature in bid to attract 'low pressure' Gen Z

An avocado bathroom suite built in the 70's.

Young homeowners ‘favour avocado bathrooms, relaxation zones and panelled walls’