M&S Refuses Gift Vouchers Extension as Chaos Continues After Cyber Attack

• Customers unable to spend M&S gift vouchers as systems remain crippled
• Retailer slammed for refusing to extend expiry dates
• Angry shoppers say they’re being forced to buy things they don’t want
• Stores stripped bare as staff can’t order stock – even Colin the Caterpillar vanishes
• Cyber gang “Scattered Spider” blamed for one of worst high street attacks in years
• Sparks offers, birthday perks, and online orders still frozen

Shoppers say they’ve been left “shut out” of Marks & Spencer as the fallout from a massive cyber attack continues to spiral — with customers unable to use gift vouchers, order items in-store, or redeem Sparks perks.

The high street chain was forced to apologise after its systems went into meltdown over Easter. Now, nearly two months on, it’s still struggling to recover.

Many loyal M&S customers who saved up gift vouchers say they’re furious, especially after being told they wouldn’t get extensions. One frustrated shopper said: “The only option we have is to spend them on something we don’t really need.”

Initially, M&S dug its heels in, saying expired vouchers were “tough luck”. But after public outcry, the firm U-turned slightly, asking customers to get in touch “so we can support them”. It’s still unclear if this means extensions will actually be granted.

Maleeha Katib reported in The Sun that even staff can't place stock orders, and customers have shared images of empty shelves. Favourites like Colin the Caterpillar, bananas and meal deals have all mysteriously vanished.

M&S has warned online shopping may remain out of action until July. The cyber gang “Scattered Spider” is thought to be behind the breach, which caused a jaw-dropping £300 million hit to the retailer’s profits and led to customer data being stolen.

A spokesperson said: “The majority of M&S credit card customers redeem their reward vouchers in stores… if for any reason customers aren’t able to redeem in store, and their vouchers are due to expire soon, we would ask them to get in touch with us so we can support them.”

Tom Church, Co-Founder of LatestDeals.co.uk the discount code platform said, "This is a devastating blow to loyal shoppers who have saved up reward vouchers to use on bigger purchases. M&S must do more to support customers during this difficult time. People are already struggling with rising prices — being told ‘use it or lose it’ just isn’t good enough.”