Marks & Spencer has been forced to stop taking online orders following a cyber attack.

The retail giant has paused orders on its website and apps since Friday as it attempts to restore operations.

Customers began reporting problems last weekend - with people struggling to use contactless payments, click & collect, and gift cards - and on Tuesday the retailer confirmed it was facing a "cyber incident".

Then on Friday M&S said it was pausing taking orders through its UK & Ireland websites and apps and some international websites.

It apologised for the inconvenience and said it would refund orders placed by customers on Friday.

M&S says contactless payments are now working and gift cards can be used.

M&S's sales and profits have improved in recent years and it has been seeking to expand its online operations.

Last year, out of £3.9billion of sales in its clothing and home business, nearly £1.3billion came online.

With warmer weather due this week, and shoppers turning their thoughts to summer, analysts said M&S could be missing out on sales at a critical time, as people were likely to turn to rival retailers to get what they want.

FTSE 100

The UK's flagship share index, the FTSE 100, was up 31-points at 8,446 shortly after opening this morning.

Brent crude oil futures were up 0.33% trading at $67.20 a barrel.

Companies reporting today

There are no FTSE 350 reporters today

More like this…

View all