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Marks and Spencer is accepting online orders again, seven weeks after disclosing a sustained cyber attack that disrupted its business and is set to cost it hundreds of millions of pounds.
The retailer told customers on Tuesday that they “can now place online orders with standard delivery to England, Scotland and Wales”, while deliveries to Northern Ireland would restart “in the coming weeks”.
A selection of its best-selling fashion ranges is available again, with “more fashion, home and beauty products added every day”, the UK company said. It added that other services such as click and collect and international orders will be available at a later date.
M&S disclosed last month that it expected to take a hit of up to £300mn this financial year owing to the impact of the cyber attack that has blighted its operations since April.
It was forced to pause online orders for clothing and home and has also had to grapple with some food shortages in stores. Some personal customer data was stolen.
The company has blamed “human error” for the attack, with cyber criminals using so-called social engineering tactics via a third-party supplier, whereby criminals trick IT staff into changing passwords and resetting authentication processes in order to gain access.
