M&S Gives Update After Cyber Attack Halts Payments

• M&S crippled for 11 days by cyber attack blamed on notorious hacker gang
• Customers furious as online orders suspended, shelves empty, and Colin cakes gone
• Two other major retailers also targeted in escalating digital crimewave

Marks & Spencer is in meltdown after a crippling cyber attack has left customers unable to place online orders, facing bare shelves, and paying cash only in stores for nearly two weeks.

In a dramatic statement, CEO Stuart Machin told shoppers: “We are working day and night” to restore services after a cyber gang believed to be ‘Scattered Spider’ allegedly held the retailer’s systems hostage. Contactless payments collapsed, orders were blocked, and even click and collect ground to a halt.

In a shocking twist, shoppers say the beloved Colin the Caterpillar cake is nowhere to be seen – sparking a social media frenzy. One couple was even left without their Colin wedding cake.

The chaos first emerged on April 19, with problems spiralling into full-blown disruption by April 25 when M&S pulled the plug on all online orders.

The National Crime Agency and National Cyber Security Centre have been drafted in as M&S scrambles to restore order. Insiders say the hackers demanded a ransom in a ransomware-style hit.

To make matters worse, two other major UK retailers – Harrods and The Co-op – also confirmed cyber threats this week. Harrods faced till failures, while The Co-op admitted shutting down parts of its own IT system.

Back on the high street, shoppers are battling bare shelves, with bananas, fish, and cakes missing. While stores remain open, the tech collapse has sent M&S into damage control mode – and there’s still no timeline for when normal service will resume.

Tom Church, Co-Founder of LatestDeals.co.uk the discount code platform said, “It’s a digital disaster. This shows how vulnerable even the biggest retailers are to cyber crime. With shelves empty and online shopping offline, it’s a wake-up call – and a reminder why it’s smart to always have a backup plan.”