Another UK Chain Suffers Hacking Attempt, Shuts Some Systems

British supermarket chain Co-op said it was the target of a hacking attempt, just days after Marks & Spencer Group Plc said it suffered a cyber incident that rendered some of the retailer’s systems inaccessible.

Co-op recently experienced attempts to gain unauthorized access to some systems, forcing it to take safety measures that had a “small impact” on some back office and call center services, a spokesperson said by email Wednesday.

All stores and funeral homes are operating as usual. Members and customers aren’t being asked to do anything differently at the moment, the company said. The Guardian newspaper first reported the hacking attempt.

The National Cyber Security Centre is working with Co-op to support its response, a spokesperson said.

It is unclear whether there is any connection with the incident at M&S, which forced the clothing, home and food retailer to pause online orders and delay click-and-collect purchases. The company is also struggling with gaps on shelves for some items and has asked hundreds of agency staff at its main clothing and home warehouse to stay at home.

A ransomware attack caused the disruption at M&S, people familiar with the matter said, with hackers using malware to lock down some systems.

Co-op operates almost 2,800 stores across the U.K. and also owns a funeral services provider, insurer and legal services company.