Marks & Spencer has told hundreds of agency workers to stay away from work as the retailer battles the ongoing disruption caused by a major cyber attack.
Sky News reported that staff at M&S’s main clothing and homeware warehouse in the East Midlands were instructed to stay home.
The Castle Donington logistics centre, which employs around 20 per cent agency staff, had been expecting about 200 agency workers to report for duty, according to a source close to the business. However, permanent M&S employees were asked to come in as normal.
Cyber Attack Disruption Deepens
Trouble began last weekend. Contactless payments and click-and-collect orders were severely affected, throwing operations into disarray.
Last Tuesday, M&S Chief Executive Stuart Machin addressed customers directly. He confirmed the retailer had encountered a “cyber incident” and said they were making “minor, temporary changes” to in-store operations to handle the situation.
The fallout continued into Friday, forcing M&S to halt orders through its website and mobile apps. Shoppers hoping to buy online or collect in-store were left frustrated.
Those looking for a deeper understanding of how M&S is managing the situation can find more encouraging updates on the company’s recovery efforts following the cyber attack.
The retailer reassured customers it is “working extremely hard to restart online and app shopping”, issuing another apology for the inconvenience caused.
Click-and-collect services remain offline, and the company has been working to secure its systems. M&S confirmed it had reported the breach to the National Cyber Security Centre and data protection authorities.
No Immediate Customer Action Required
In a statement, M&S said: “We are truly sorry for this inconvenience. Our stores are open to welcome customers. We informed customers on Tuesday that there was no need for them to take any action. That remains the case, and if the situation changes, we will let them know.”
Market Reaction
The attack has taken its toll on M&S shares. The FTSE 100 retailer’s stock price has dropped by over eight per cent since the announcement of the cyber incident, a significant hit to the historic British brand.
As M&S works to restore normal service, the cyber attack serves as a stark reminder of the growing digital threats facing major retailers. While stores remain open, the disruption continues to ripple through its operations, affecting staff, customers, and the company’s financial standing.
