4 days ago
Cyber attack forces desperate Co-op into flogging Christmas pastries in MAY
CO-OP stores started flogging Christmas pastries in May — amid stock supply chaos after a crippling cyber attack.
In a desperate bid to fill empty shelves the chain shipped out the chicken and cranberry Festive Slices to some supermarkets.
The £1.90 treats are typically sold in November and December.
But ongoing online problems meant they were available again last week.
Co-op's internal ordering system was hit by a cyber attack last month before the retailer pulled the plug on its own software to limit the damage.
As a result some branches have been sent the winter warmers instead of the anticipated summer supplies.
One staff member told The Sun: 'They sent them, so we cooked them.
'It was a bit strange, but we have to keep items on the shelves or customers will go elsewhere.
"Customers have been a bit confused, but it's still a good product.
"They've actually been quite popular despite being so out of season.'
Private customer data was stolen in the hack but the Co-op said that did not include passwords, bank or credit card details.
A spokesman said: 'Stock availability has improved and we continue to work closely with our suppliers.'
