The Co-op's stock ordering system is now fully online, with all orders switched back to its normal supply processes and systems following a cyber-attack it faced nearly two weeks ago.

In an update released on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the retailer said that there would be improved stock availability across its food stores and online from the weekend, adding that the business is working closely with suppliers to restock its stores.

The statement comes after reports that some of its stores have had empty shelves as a result of the third-party cyber incident.

The Co-op currently operates 2,500 food stores across the UK which employ more than 62,000 people.

“All forms of payments including contactless, and chip and pin are working across our entire store estate,” continued the spokesperson.

The company said that it is in the recovery phase following the hack, taking steps to bring its systems gradually back online in a safe and controlled manner.

The statement comes after Marks & Spencer (M&S) revealed that some personal customer data was stolen during a cyber-attack that has crippled its online operations for more than three weeks.

Some experts have suggested that the cyber-attacks, along with a similar incident that took place at Harrods, are part of a co-ordinated attack on the UK retail industry.

M&S began experiencing problems with its systems on 25 April, initially affecting in-store payments before spreading to other parts of the organisation. The retailer has been unable to take online orders since then as it attempts to resolve the issues.

Last week, the Co-op reportedly attempted to circumvent shortages in remote communities by diverting its food and drink supplies to stores in more isolated locations as the retailer continues to grapple with the effects of a cyber-attack which took place last week.

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