Fall-out continues amid M&S cyber attack as claims some shop shelves are empty

Marks and Spencer has apologised to customers in the wake of the cyber attack, which has resulted in a severe disruption to its business and customers.

Many customers have complained about the lack of communication from the company, which revealed it had been targeted in the incident over Easter.

While the actual nature of the cyber attack has yet to be disclosed or when it expects its operations to return to normal, M&S has issued an apology to customers for the inconvenience caused.

Having paused shopping and ordering on its websites and app, the retailer stopped processing contactless payments and moved some of its processes offline in order to protect colleagues, partners, suppliers and its business. It reminded customers that their stores remain open.

In a statement issued on its website, M&S said it was working “extremely hard” to restart its online and app shopping, adding they were “incredibly grateful to customers, colleagues and partners for their understanding and support”.

As the impact of the cyber attack continues to be felt, the BBC has reported that some M&S stores have been left with empty shelves, adding it understands it could take until early May before operations begin to return to normal.

And while issues with contactless pay, Click & Collect and gift cards have since been resolved, customers are still unable to place any orders online.

It remains unclear just how many shops are now left with empty shelves, it is understood to be across its food stores network, with the retailer confirming “pockets of limited availability in some stores”.