M&S brings back popular service four months after cyber attack
M&S has restarted its click and collect service four months after its business was hit by a crippling cyber attack.
The supermarket stopped taking orders on its website after it was targeted over Easter weekend back in April. Contactless payments in stores were also affected and M&S was forced to temporarily shut down part of its IT system.
M&S started to reopen online orders in June - and has now confirmed that its click and collect service, which allows customers to buy products online and pick up in store, is back up and running.
It comes after M&S announced last month that its Sparks app was fully operational once again, with shoppers able to use their personalised discounts, birthday treats and coffee stamps. It comes after a state pension warning for millions of Brits who are between two specific ages.
M&S customer data, including names, email addresses, addresses and dates of birth - but not card or payment details - was stolen in the cyber attack.
The supermarket has advised shoppers to take extra caution if they are contacted by someone who claims to be from M&S. Customers are also being prompted to change their password if they've yet to log in to the Sparks app following the hack.
The cyber attack is expected to cost the company around £300million. M&S annual profits - before the attack emerged - recently jumped by more than a fifth to £875.5million, its highest in over 15 years, thanks to its turnaround programme.
Last month, boss Stuart Machin had said M&S expected operations to be running fully again by August.
Speaking to shareholders at the retailer's annual general meeting, he said: "Since these attacks took place, specialist NCA cybercrime investigators have been working at pace and the investigation remains one of the Agency's highest priorities.
"Today's arrests are a significant step in that investigation but our work continues, alongside partners in the UK and overseas, to ensure those responsible are identified and brought to justice.
"Cyber attacks can be hugely disruptive for businesses and I'd like to thank M&S, Co-op and Harrods for their support to our investigations.
"Hopefully this signals to future victims the importance of seeking support and engaging with law enforcement as part of the reporting process. The NCA and policing are here to help."
M&S previously boosted its 20% colleague discount to 30% for four days for 63,000 colleagues, as a way of saying thank you to its staff. M&S also extended its 10% discount to over 2,500 contractors from across its supply chain and partners.
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