Will Marks and Spencer survive?

[MerryPortas]

It’s hard to imagine the full scale of the cyber attack and the impact on their business.

yes, annoying for the shoppers, but they must be losing millions in daily revenue online, and I doubt that’s being backfilled by increased physical footfall.

stock levels are unpredictable - understandably - so confidence is low.

shoppers are creatures of habit, and change is habit forming.

So my question is, do you think M and S is at risk?

No one is suggesting financial support! But wearing the odd department store item or dressing your children in the odd M&S jumper doesn’t seem a big ask.

I think we're due another big longrunning brand going bust tbh

I thought it would be john lewis

I’m afraid it is. It’s not in our interests to prop up failing businesses that exist as a way for the owners to syphon off profits for a bigger dividend. They didn’t invest in IT infrastructure and now it’s coming back to bite them.

Again, the royal family should not be an advertising agency.

Our local Co-op is also pretty empty. Called in one night wanting to pick up salad stuff for a quick meal. There was a recorded message apologising for lack of products.

It was Covid days. Empty shelves. I came out with some pretzels.

They should be, it would add some interest.

‘Kate’s visit today was sponsored by Marks and Spencer…’ 😂

Are you touched with madness?

No, but apparently you’re touched with rudeness. The fact of it is they made several assurances to customers that personal data was not stolen. They then changed their tune. They lied. Simple as.

What if that was the information they had at the time? Do you have proof they knew otherwise?

I mean, is just a shop. Why do you hate it?

I see the ambulance chasers are out already 🙄

I want to buy some summer trousers. The website won’t tell me where they are in stock. I have tried three branches but they didn’t have any of that style in stock. I can’t order online. So I will probably buy something similar from elsewhere.

Thousands of customers must be having similar difficulties. The summer sale is going to be immense as they will have so much stock to shift.

For those of you not in London or aware, TfL had a cyber attack a couple of years ago. It took 2 months for you to be able to log into your account so M&S ‘pausing’ online orders for 3-4 weeks is nothing out of the ordinary. With TfL there were school kids and pensioners unable to get their discounted Oyster cards to get the reduced fares they were entitled to. Am not sure they got any discount returned either.

Wtf

Co Op are prioritising deliveries to places (like Scottish Highlands/Islands etc) where the only shop within easy reach is a Co Op. Which is why in places within driving distance of other supermarkets, the shelves are empty.

Hope so!
it’s the only place I buy my knickers from 🤣🤣

I'm still grieving my Debenhams pants I can't loose m and s too.

YOUR money will be "absorbing it" if hackers are allowed to continue.

Some ridiculous comments on here. Any company in the world can be hacked if just one human being breaches security protocols.

M&S will be fine. Just been to our massive store nearby with its gorgeous new food hall and can confirm the shelves were fully stocked with delicious grub!

As a men's outfitter they are very much in the second division. I am frankly surprised they continue to offer menswear.

DH agrees with you - except for pants and socks.

Do you have inside knowledge that confirms your comment?

If not, I suggest you wait for the investigations but current knowledge is that staff fell for hackers and gave away passwords, 2FA was bypassed using SIM swapping. That's a recent development and companies are moving to authentication apps, rather than SMS.Its very clear that they have switched off systems, hence no availability of online which suggests they didn't know the extent of the data breach.

However it's your name, address and email, hardly likely to cause much impact. I would advise everyone to have a separate email for online shopping and never use your valid date of birth.

Yes, same. I’ve bought school shorts elsewhere in the end.
I do have a pair of boys trousers in my basket, which I’d ordered just as the attack happened, and order was consequently cancelled. I popped in store to see if I could get them, but their range is very limited in comparison to online, so I’m hoping I can get them soon.

It’s been weeks now though, I really feel for them!

I don't know how their stores (except food stores which are good) have survived this long. I rarely shop there since I object to their 'Inclusive' changing room policy which lets men into female only spaces, and which must surety now be illegal. Won't be sorry to see their demise tbh.

I think it’s going to take the nation digging deep and really showing up for M&S tbh.
It won’t be long until they’re laying people off (if they haven’t already started), their losses are unsustainable.

I ordered a few bras before Easter weekend , I’m a 36H and I always need to order online as our M and S never has any in stock , I have to have nonwired as well due to various scars due to gall bladder surgery and various breast biopsies . Anyway , the order was cancelled due to the cyber attacks and I eventually got my money back - almost £100 for 3 bras . There’s been no stock in my size in store since . In desperation I found a post surgical non wired bra in my store in my size - great . On paying I was asked if I’d had a mastectomy in front of a long queue of male n female shoppers , err no but i have a need for a bra in this size and can’t order any due to the cyber attack. Was told loudly by the 20 year old lad serving me that as they are VAT free only those who have had a mastectomy can buy them . I tried to explain without going into to much detail that I have had breast surgery and have scars and need a non wired bra but was willing to pay the VAT if needed - nope not allowed . Just wish I’d said yes to the “ have you had a mastectomy “ question ! Always bought my u set wear from marks but won’t be going back even when they get this sorted … just need to find alternatives at a reasonable price .

M&S makes massive profits. Their clothing ranges are great and their online ordering system is (was) excellent. Obviously their profits will take a bashing this year but they’d just upped their marketing to attract younger customers which was working, so if they carry on doing that after they sort this mess out, they’ll be fine. I never try anything on because of them allowing men in changing rooms but I still buy most of my clothes from there. Just means they have to accept more returns from me.