Co-op Offers £10 Off After Cyberattack Disrupts Stores
After a major cyberattack left shelves empty and payment systems down, Co-op is offering its members £10 off when they spend £40 or more. The attack, which happened in May, also led to hackers stealing customer data, including names and contact information. Co-op’s 2,300 stores have mostly returned to normal, and the company hopes this one-off deal will show appreciation to its 6.5 million members for their patience.
The discount, running from June 18th to 24th, is available to existing and new members but not staff. While some customers may find it generous, retail consultant Catherine Shuttleworth noted, "You'd be pushed to spend that in a Co-op - the average shop would be between £10 and £15. It's a very high threshold for a convenience business." She added that the chain is trying to win back shoppers who may have gone elsewhere during the disruption.
Despite the financial impact of the hack, which Shuttleworth estimated cost Co-op millions in lost sales, managing director Matt Hood remained positive: "I’m very proud that, thanks to the work of our colleagues, we are very near to making a full and complete recovery from the recent cyberattack." He promised "more value rewards to come over the summer" as Co-op looks to bounce back ahead of the busy season.
