M&S restarts online orders after cyber attack

BBC News reporter Michael Race has shared that Marks and Spencer has resumed online orders after a cyber attack forced a pause back in April. The High Street retailer announced that customers can now purchase a variety of fashion items, including clothing and footwear, for delivery in England, Scotland, and Wales. Additionally, beauty and homeware products will be available in the near future, with Northern Ireland set to have click and collect and delivery services restored in the upcoming weeks.

The return of online shopping signifies a significant step for Marks and Spencer as it works to recover from the cyber attack that disrupted its services, causing empty shelves and delayed deliveries. The attack initially impacted click and collect and contactless payments over the Easter weekend, prompting the suspension of online orders a few days later. Managing director John Lyttle revealed that a selection of the retailer’s top-selling fashion ranges are now accessible online, although customer Andrew Ruddle expressed disappointment over the lack of menswear options in stock.

The cyber attack is expected to dent M&S’s profits by approximately £300m this year, representing a substantial portion of its earnings. The company confirmed that some customer data, such as phone numbers, addresses, and birth dates, was compromised during the breach, although payment details and account passwords remain secure. Recently, it was revealed that the hackers behind the attack sent an abusive email to M&S’s CEO demanding payment, shedding light on the severity of the ransomware incident.

Despite the challenges posed by the cyber attack, M&S is gradually resuming its operations and restoring online services for customers. The impact of the breach on the retailer’s financial performance underscores the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures in the face of evolving cyber threats. With ongoing efforts to address the fallout from the attack, M&S remains committed to safeguarding customer information and maintaining transparency regarding the incident

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