Atin Ito | Ontario’s First Filipino Community Newspaper – Trusted News and Stories for the Filipino-Canadian Community Atin Ito is Ontario’s first Filipino community newspaper, delivering trusted news, stories, and updates for Filipino-Canadians. Stay connected with your community.
LONDON, United Kingdom — British clothes-to-food retailer Marks and Spencer on Wednesday said a cyberattack affecting its online service is set to last through to July and cost the group £300 million ($404 million).
Marks last week revealed that some personal data of its customers had been stolen in a cyberattack that has crippled its online services for weeks.
“In Fashion, Home & Beauty, online sales and trading profit have been heavily impacted by the necessary decision to pause online shopping, however stores have remained resilient,” Marks said in a statement.
“We expect online disruption to continue throughout June and into July as we restart, then ramp up operations.”
The impact on annual group operating profit is estimated at “around £300 million… which will be reduced through management of costs, insurance and other trading actions”, the retailer added.
The news came as Marks on Wednesday reported operating profit before adjusting items of £985 million for its financial year to the end of March.
Following the update, its share price dropped 2.5 percent at the start of trading in London.
Group operations have since Easter been hampered by a ransomware sting which forced the retailer to suspend online sales, contactless payments in store and even recruiting operations.
Marks said information stolen could include names, dates of birth, home addresses and telephone numbers. However, it did not include “usable payment or card details”, nor account passwords.
The company reported the incident to relevant government authorities and law enforcement.
A wave of cyberattacks have hit British retailers in recent weeks, including luxury department store Harrods and the Co-op food chain.
*****
Credit belongs to : www.manilatimes.net
