M&S website down as retailer endures lengthy recovery from cyber attack
Visitors to the M&S website are greeted with the message: 'Sorry you can't browse the site currently. We're making some updates and will be back soon.'
The site is otherwise unable to be used.
The BBC reports the site may be undergoing routine maintenance.
M&S has been contacted for comment.
M&S halted orders on its website and saw empty shelves after being targeted by hackers around the Easter weekend, and customer personal data, which could have included names, email addresses, postal addresses and dates of birth, was also taken by hackers in the attack.
The retail giant said on Wednesday that 'human error' had caused the attack, which is set to cost the firm around £300 million, and chief executive Stuart Machin confirmed disruption could last until July.
It came as the company reported a higher-than-expected adjusted pre-tax profit of £875.5 million for the year to March, up 22.2% on the previous year.
Robert Cottrill, technology director at digital firm ANS, said it was 'vital' M&S took its time to get system recovery right, in order to ensure security and prevent future incidents.
'M&S appears to be taking the appropriate and necessary steps following the cyber attack, with a likely focus on restoring core systems and recovering critical data,' he told the PA news agency.
'The extended disruption may well be a result of attackers having targeted key infrastructure, which takes time to fully assess, secure and restore.
'Given the scale and complexity of M&S's globally connected operations, the recovery process is understandably meticulous, with multiple interconnected systems requiring scrutiny.'
'It's essential that M&S prioritises a secure and complete recovery over a rapid one. Rushing to bring systems back online without full assurance of their integrity could risk further compromise.
'Ensuring robust security at every layer before resumption is not just sensible – it's vital.
'The major disruption and sales loss M&S has seen following the incident serve as a powerful reminder to all organisations: cybersecurity must be treated as a board-level issue. No business is immune to cyber threats, and those with complex digital ecosystems are particularly vulnerable.
'Effective incident response plans, regular testing and collaboration with cybersecurity experts are critical to minimising disruption.
'But more than that, a proactive approach that includes threat detection, security-by-design principles, and employee awareness is the best defence against increasingly sophisticated attacks.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
22 minutes ago
- The Sun
B&M shoppers rush to buy HUGE furniture scanning for just £1 instead of £80
SHOPPERS are rushing to bag a bargain after discovering an £80 B&M item is scanning for just £1. The stunning piece of furniture is selling for a huge discount with one lucky shopper picking it up from their local B&M. 3 They shared the massive discount to social media with others rushing to stores to snap up one of their own. The two door sideboard is usually priced at £80, B&M have not announced or advertised a discount for the product. Despite this the price of the item appears to have been reduced by a whopping £79 with shoppers racing to stores to snap up the bargain item. Social media users quickly tagged friends and pals in the post to share the massive savings on offer. The sideboard has a rustic oak finish and boasts plenty of storage space. The seemingly secret sale had shoppers clamouring to get to their local store to pick up one of the "lush" sideboards themselves. After sharing their bargain buy online the lucky shopper who spotted the discount was congratulated by others. One social media user said: "Absolute bargain. I've had this for ages and paid £40. It's lush." Another commented: "Good for you, a bargain and then some." Shoppers hoping to get their hands on the discounted furniture will have to be quick and will need to download the B&M scanner. 'Why is no-one talking about this-' woman says about B&M buy that'll transform her bathroom for 'less than a Domino's' The scanner lets you see if an item is cheaper than its advertised price. Discounts are sometimes applied to seasonal items or old stock with B&M trying to shift it quickly. The scanner lets the customer check if items are being sold at lower prices and saves them a bunch of money. Using the scanner is completely free, bargain hunters just need to download the B&M app. If items scanned by the app show lower prices than advertised shoppers need to take them to the cash desk in store where they will automatically scan at the lower price. Brits up and down the country have bagged massive bargains at B&M using the method. Using the app could help you score plenty of bargains on your next shopping trip. Any item could be discounted so it is always worth checking with the scanner before paying full price. The side board is no longer selling on the B&M website, suggesting it has had its price slashed so dramatically as part of a clearance sale getting rid of old stock. Amazon said the piece of furniture, which they are selling for £89.99, offers: "Convenient hidden storage space behind two doors with a rustic wood finish. "With its rectangular shape and metal legs, this storage cabinet can serve well in entryways, hallways, or dining rooms for organizing shoes, books, toys and more. "The standout feature of this cabinet is the chevron detailing on the doors, adding a stylish and contemporary touch to its design." How to bag a bargain SUN Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to find a cut-price item and bag a bargain… Sign up to loyalty schemes of the brands that you regularly shop with. Big names regularly offer discounts or special lower prices for members, among other perks. Sales are when you can pick up a real steal. Retailers usually have periodic promotions that tie into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends, so keep a lookout and shop when these deals are on. Sign up to mailing lists and you'll also be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too. When buying online, always do a search for money off codes or vouchers that you can use and are just two sites that round up promotions by retailer. Scanner apps are useful to have on your phone. app has a scanner that you can use to compare prices on branded items when out shopping. Bargain hunters can also use B&M's scanner in the app to find discounts in-store before staff have marked them out. And always check if you can get cashback before paying which in effect means you'll get some of your money back or a discount on the item.
Scottish Sun
22 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
B&M shoppers rush to buy HUGE furniture scanning for just £1 instead of £80
One shopper saved a huge £79 on the "lush" furniture BARGAIN HUNT B&M shoppers rush to buy HUGE furniture scanning for just £1 instead of £80 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SHOPPERS are rushing to bag a bargain after discovering an £80 B&M item is scanning for just £1. The stunning piece of furniture is selling for a huge discount with one lucky shopper picking it up from their local B&M. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 The item was described as "lush" by one shopper Credit: Facebook/ ExtremeCouponingAndBargainsUK 3 The customer only paid £1 Credit: Facebook/ ExtremeCouponingAndBargainsUK They shared the massive discount to social media with others rushing to stores to snap up one of their own. The two door sideboard is usually priced at £80, B&M have not announced or advertised a discount for the product. Despite this the price of the item appears to have been reduced by a whopping £79 with shoppers racing to stores to snap up the bargain item. Social media users quickly tagged friends and pals in the post to share the massive savings on offer. The sideboard has a rustic oak finish and boasts plenty of storage space. The seemingly secret sale had shoppers clamouring to get to their local store to pick up one of the "lush" sideboards themselves. After sharing their bargain buy online the lucky shopper who spotted the discount was congratulated by others. One social media user said: "Absolute bargain. I've had this for ages and paid £40. It's lush." Another commented: "Good for you, a bargain and then some." Shoppers hoping to get their hands on the discounted furniture will have to be quick and will need to download the B&M scanner. 'Why is no-one talking about this-' woman says about B&M buy that'll transform her bathroom for 'less than a Domino's' The scanner lets you see if an item is cheaper than its advertised price. Discounts are sometimes applied to seasonal items or old stock with B&M trying to shift it quickly. The scanner lets the customer check if items are being sold at lower prices and saves them a bunch of money. Using the scanner is completely free, bargain hunters just need to download the B&M app. If items scanned by the app show lower prices than advertised shoppers need to take them to the cash desk in store where they will automatically scan at the lower price. 3 The cabinet offers stylish storage at a massively discounted price Credit: B&M Brits up and down the country have bagged massive bargains at B&M using the method. Using the app could help you score plenty of bargains on your next shopping trip. Any item could be discounted so it is always worth checking with the scanner before paying full price. The side board is no longer selling on the B&M website, suggesting it has had its price slashed so dramatically as part of a clearance sale getting rid of old stock. Amazon said the piece of furniture, which they are selling for £89.99, offers: "Convenient hidden storage space behind two doors with a rustic wood finish. "With its rectangular shape and metal legs, this storage cabinet can serve well in entryways, hallways, or dining rooms for organizing shoes, books, toys and more. "The standout feature of this cabinet is the chevron detailing on the doors, adding a stylish and contemporary touch to its design."
BBC News
4 hours ago
- BBC News
M&S drops clothes range for Crewe store's out-of-town relocation
Marks and Spencer (M&S) has announced plans to relocate a store in firm plans to close its Grand Junction store in Crewe when the new shop is opened south of Basford Brook Way just outside the new store will be an M&S Food shop, approximately three times the size of the current food hall inside the existing store alongside the chain's clothing range .It is expected to open in mid-2027, the firm said, subject to planning permission being granted. Bosses confirmed it would not include the firm's beauty or fashion is expected that existing staff will transfer to the new shop when the Grand Junction store Whelan, regional manager for M&S, said it would mean the store could offer the brand's full food range."Our store rotation plan is all about investing to ensure we can deliver the best possible shopping experience for customers," she said."At our Basford location, we'll be able to do just that and secure a sustainable future for M&S in Crewe."She said the new shop would include an in-store bakery as well as a car park with electric vehicle charging points. Read more Cheshire stories from the BBC and follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
