London – Marks & Spencer, the British retail giant, has slammed the brakes on all online and app orders, leaving customers high and dry as it grapples with a crippling cyber-attack. The company confirmed the breach on April 23, admitting that a “cyber incident” had thrown its digital operations into chaos. By April 25, the fallout was clear: no online shopping, no app orders, just a stark message on the M&S website apologizing for the mess.
The attack hit hard. Shoppers trying to use Click & Collect faced delays, and some couldn’t pay at all in stores, forcing staff to scramble with manual workarounds. Stores stayed open, and the website and app limped along, but behind the scenes, the company was in crisis mode. Incident response teams were deployed, racing to contain the damage and figure out what went wrong. M&S hasn’t spilled details on the attack’s scope—whether it was ransomware, data theft, or something else—but the disruption speaks volumes.
This isn’t just a hiccup. M&S, a high-street staple for millions, relies on its digital arm to keep up with rivals. Pausing online orders is a gut punch, especially with spring shopping in full swing. Customers expecting deliveries or pickups got emails explaining the delays, with the company promising to “resolve this as quickly as possible.” But no timeline was given, leaving shoppers frustrated and the retailer’s reputation on the line.
The company’s been tight-lipped about the culprits or the breach’s origins. No government alerts have pinned this to a specific group, and M&S hasn’t shared if customer data was compromised. For now, it’s all hands on deck to restore systems and get back online. The retailer’s assurance that physical stores are unaffected offers some relief, but for a brand built on trust, this is a rough blow.
M&S isn’t alone in facing cyber threats—retail’s a prime target for hackers—but the timing stings. The firm was already navigating a tough market, and this setback could cost millions. As of April 25, online and app orders remain suspended, with no word on when they’ll resume. Customers are left waiting, and M&S is fighting to claw its way back.