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Co-op shortages continue following cyber attack

Clare Worden
BBC News, Norfolk
BBC Empty green food crates that should be full of fresh fruits and vegetables on sale at the Co-op Food shop in Brundall. Customer information sign in the foreground which reads "Sorry we're having some availability issues which should be resolved shortly" BBC
Co-op customers have been told that things should soon improve after a change in the company's online ordering system

Disruption to deliveries following a cyber attack is causing shortages in some product supplies to Co-op stores in Norfolk.

The company, which has 13 shops across the county, said it hoped more stock will arrive by the weekend.

Customers at the Co-op stores in Brundall, on the Norfolk Broads, and Hingham, in South West Norfolk, told the BBC they were largely able to get what they needed - but had noticed plenty of bare shelves.

Co-op said it was bringing its systems "gradually back online in a safe and controlled manner".

Andrew Gooder is wearing a bright turquoise shirt and is holding his terrier dog. Andrew has short brown hair and a beard.
Andrew Gooder from Brundall said he visits the store for smaller 'top up shops'

Andrew Gooder from Brundall visited the store on the village high street for essentials and noticed some empty shelves.

"It definitely is convenient," he said.

"Most people don't do a full shop here but you can pick up your bits and bobs like milk, sweets those little bits that you need."

Margaret Smillie lives around the corner from the Brundall store.

She had heard that there were issues with a cyber attack but said she was not concerned.

"I don't do anything online at all," she said.

"I'm not worried about losing any data or anything like that but I'm sure a lot of people are."

In a statement on the Co-operative Group website, chief executive Shirine Khoury-Haq thanked shoppers for their patience.

Margaret Smillie has shorty white hair and wears glasses. She is wearing a patterned white and blue top. She is holding a large bottle of evian water in her arms.
Margaret Smillie from Brundall said she saw there was a lot missing from the shelves

Co-op said it became aware it was being targeted by cyber criminals earlier this month.

The hack resulted in payment problems, widespread shortages of goods in shops, and compromised customer and staff data.

A group using the name DragonForce are also claim to be responsible for a similar attack on Marks and Spencer (M&S) and an attempted hack of Harrods earlier this month.

Co-op food stores are often in rural areas, raising concerns that food shortages would have a greater impact on communities.

Image of an almost empty fridge in Brundall Co-op.
Chilled foods and sandwiches are particularly impacted by the delivery problems

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