🛍️ Cyber Attacks and the Retail Ripple Effect

When Hackers Hit Supply Chains, It’s Not Just the Big Names That Suffer

Jul 30, 2025

Marks & Spencer. Co‑op. UNFI.
These high‑profile retailers suffered major cyber incidents in the past 12 months—yet the real impact hit not just boardrooms and headlines, but local shops, cafés, and stall holders.

🧾 What’s Happening in Retail Cybersecurity?

Marks & Spencer (UK)

In April 2025, M&S was hit by a ransomware-style supply chain attack, reportedly by the Scattered Spider group via a compromised logistics partner. Online orders, Click & Collect, and contactless payments were disrupted for over a month—leading to a reported £300 million profit loss and over £700 million in market capitalisation.

This incident highlights the growing vulnerability of third-party supply chains in retail cyber risk.

Co‑op (UK)

Following the M&S breach, Co-op proactively shut down parts of its IT systems after detecting suspicious activity. This led to point-of-sale system outages across over 500 stores.

Around the same time, a separate breach resulted in the exposure of customer data belonging to 6.5 million members, prompting the launch of a “thank you” discount initiative to restore trust.

Although the incidents are not officially linked, the timeline illustrates how operational resilience and data protection now go hand in hand.

UNFI / Whole Foods Supplier (USA)

In June 2025, UNFI—a key supplier to Whole Foods and 30,000 other clients—suffered a major cyberattack that brought its ordering, invoicing, and distribution systems offline for nearly 10 days.

The disruption caused inventory shortages across thousands of locations. UNFI forecasted a $350–400 million revenue shortfall, citing the breach as a key driver in its revised fiscal outlook.

🧭 Why This Matters for Independent Retailers

Even if you're not a major retailer, you’re part of the same digital ecosystem.

If you:

Use card machines
Accept online bookings
Store customer data
Rely on suppliers, couriers, or EPOS platforms

…then a breach upstream can still hit your bottom line.

🔍 Real Consequences, Real Lives

When systems go down:

Card readers fail at tills
Orders can't be fulfilled
Deliveries don’t arrive
Customers get turned away

Cyber disruption affects people—not just IT systems.

✅ Cyber Readiness for Small Retailers

🛡️ 1. Start with a 30-Minute Audit

What would stop you trading today?
Do you have a backup way to take payments?
Would you know if a supplier was breached?
Is your key data backed up securely?

🤝 2. Talk to Your Suppliers

Ask your tech providers: How do you handle outages or breaches?
What’s your EPOS provider’s incident plan?
Will you notify me if you're affected?

🔁 3. Build Basic Backup Plans

Keep spare card readers or manual logs
Backup product lists and customer records to cloud/USB
Print support contacts for suppliers, banks, and IT
Train staff for manual operations during outages

🔐 4. Secure Customer Data

Use strong passwords and enable MFA
Never store card data locally
Regularly update EPOS, tablets, CMS
Delete customer data you no longer need

🧠 Community Impact: Cybersecurity with Care

Cybersecurity isn't just about compliance—it's about community resilience.

It’s the parent who can’t buy formula.
The chef losing a weekend’s trade.
The customer denied a payment at checkout.

When you prepare, you protect more than your shop—you protect everyone it serves.

📌 TL;DR — Small Steps, Big Protection

✅ Walk through “what if it broke?” scenarios
✅ Ask your suppliers and platforms about their incident response
✅ Back up key files and print vital contacts
✅ Train your team to respond calmly to outages
✅ Don’t panic—just plan

🎯 Final Thought: You’re Not Alone in This

Your shop matters. Your resilience matters. And your community depends on both.

Cybersecurity with heart protects more than profits—it protects people.

Heather Roache
Founder, The Cyber Compass
Navigate the Digital World with Confidence