Harrods, M\&S, and Co-op Hit by Cyber Attacks: UK’s Retail Sector Under Siege

As the digital battlefield intensifies, the UK’s retail giants are becoming high-profile targets. Harrods, one of the world’s most iconic luxury department stores, has confirmed a cyber incident, joining a growing list of UK retailers, including Marks & Spencer (M\&S) and the Co-operative Group (Co-op), that have recently faced unauthorized attempts to breach their systems.

This surge in cyber-attacks raises concerns about the security frameworks in place across the retail sector and has fueled speculation that a common vulnerability or third-party supplier may be the link between these high-profile breaches. With groups like Scattered Spider now linked to some of these incidents, cybersecurity experts are calling on businesses to tighten their digital defenses before it’s too late.

UK Retailers Face Coordinated Cyber Onslaught

Harrods Confirms Incident: On May 1, Harrods reported that unauthorized access attempts were made on its systems. As a precaution, it took some systems offline. Despite this, all Harrods locations—including Knightsbridge, H beauty, and airport stores—remain open, and online services continue to function.

Co-op and M\&S Also Affected: The Co-op also confirmed cyber activity on May 1, stating it had shut down parts of its IT infrastructure following unauthorized access attempts. Marks & Spencer first disclosed its own incident on April 22 and is still dealing with ongoing disruptions.

Scattered Spider Involvement: Cybersecurity firm Silent Push has linked the M\&S incident to the Scattered Spider group, known for past attacks on MGM International and Caesars Entertainment. This group, operating under various aliases, has already targeted brands like Nike, Louis Vuitton, and Vodafone in 2025.

Retailers Share Vulnerabilities: Experts suggest that the three incidents may be connected by a shared third-party supplier or a similar technology platform vulnerable to exploitation. There’s also speculation that initial breaches triggered further investigations, revealing dormant threats.

Ransomware-as-a-Service Threat: Scattered Spider uses DragonForce ransomware, available on the dark web via Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS). This method enables cybercriminals with minimal technical skills to launch sophisticated attacks by exploiting outdated software and known vulnerabilities.

Phishing and Evolving Tactics: Silent Push notes that Scattered Spider’s phishing strategies have advanced, with new kits being deployed regularly. The latest phishing tool observed in 2025 is hosted on Cloudflare and includes updated content for more deceptive targeting.

Retail

What Undercode Say:

The cybersecurity incidents involving Harrods, M\&S, and Co-op serve as a harrowing reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in modern retail infrastructures. While each company may be navigating its breach independently, the pattern of successive attacks points to systemic weaknesses that cybercriminals are actively exploiting.

First and foremost, the retail sector’s reliance on interconnected digital systems and third-party providers makes it particularly susceptible to cascading cyber threats. If even one vendor or piece of software is compromised, it can serve as a launchpad for attacks across multiple organizations. This scenario aligns with one of the key theories presented by cybersecurity analysts—that a breached common supplier might be the root cause behind the trio of incidents.

Furthermore, the attribution of the M\&S incident to Scattered Spider brings significant weight to the situation. This group is not a fly-by-night operation; it’s a persistent threat actor with a documented history of launching high-profile ransomware attacks. The tools it uses—like the DragonForce encryptor—demonstrate how the Ransomware-as-a-Service economy has matured, allowing even low-level hackers to deploy devastating attacks with minimal effort.

The evolution of phishing kits underscores another major concern: adversaries are innovating faster than many businesses are updating their defenses. Phishing remains one of the most effective vectors for initial compromise, and groups like Scattered Spider are fine-tuning their bait to be more believable, harder to detect, and easier to scale.

There’s also a psychological angle to consider. Once a major brand like M\&S is hit, similar businesses become natural follow-up targets. Hackers assume that if one retail giant is vulnerable, its peers may be as well—especially if they’re using similar infrastructure or legacy systems.

Equally concerning is the apparent lack of customer communication. None of the affected retailers have advised consumers to take action—at least not yet. While this may suggest that personal data hasn’t been compromised, the opaque nature of such disclosures often delays consumer response, potentially increasing risk.

The NCSC’s involvement is a step in the right direction, but it cannot be the only line of defense. Retailers must take independent action: invest in threat detection, regularly audit their systems, conduct employee cybersecurity training, and implement strict patch management protocols.

This incident should mark a turning point in UK retail’s approach to cybersecurity. Luxury branding and customer loyalty mean little if trust is eroded by digital negligence. The industry must prepare not only for reactive measures post-breach, but for proactive strategies that embed cybersecurity into every layer of operations—from supply chain vetting to frontline digital infrastructure.

Fact Checker Results:

Harrods, Co-op, and M\&S all confirmed cyber incidents within a 10-day period.
M\&S breach linked to known threat group Scattered Spider via media and expert sources.
No public instruction for customer action from any of the affected retailers as of May 2, 2025.

Prediction:

With attackers becoming more strategic and retail systems increasingly interconnected, the UK retail sector is likely to face more cyber threats in the coming months. If a third-party supplier is identified as the common vulnerability, we may see a ripple effect involving other major retailers. Meanwhile, cybercriminal groups like Scattered Spider will continue to innovate, pushing businesses to invest heavily in threat intelligence, system updates, and employee cyber-awareness training. Without significant change, these incidents may just be the beginning of a broader digital crisis in retail.

References:

Reported By: www.infosecurity-magazine.com
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