Retail heavyweight Marks & Spencer has acknowledged a cybersecurity incident, prompting ongoing disruptions at various store locations. In a notice to customers, which was reviewed by TechCrunch, the British retailer disclosed that it has been “managing” a cyber event over the past few days. CEO Stuart Machin stated that operational modifications were essential “to protect [customers] and the business.”
Despite the turmoil, Marks & Spencer reassured customers that its physical stores remain operational and that its website and app continue to function as expected. In a formal announcement to the London Stock Exchange, the company confirmed it has enlisted external cybersecurity specialists to investigate the matter and informed data protection authorities.
Details regarding the nature of the cyberattack and whether customer data has been compromised are still unclear. Some customers reported difficulties with in-store payment systems, sharing their experiences on social media, indicating widespread issues including interruptions with order pick-ups. A representative from Marks & Spencer, Lucy Reynolds, noted that the company began restricting certain operations on Monday, affecting store pick-ups and contactless payment methods; however, she confirmed that contactless payments have since resumed.
Responding to customer inquiries on social media platform X, Marks & Spencer indicated that it is actively addressing technical challenges within its stores. While specific questions about the nature of the cyber incident remain unanswered, the company maintains that it serves around 32 million customers annually, as highlighted in their 2024 annual report.
The situation continues to develop, and Marks & Spencer is striving to resolve the ongoing issues as swiftly as possible.
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