Marks and Spencer (M&S) has shared that profits have more than halved following a cyber-attack in April this year.

In its half year results for the 26 weeks to 27 September, the retailer said group adjusted pre-tax profit had fallen to £184 million compared to £413 million compared to the same period of 2024.

Statutory pre-tax profit fell to £3.4 million, a decline of 99 per cent over the six-month-period.

Despite the “extraordinary period” and substantial disruption, M&S said that that it made progress in launching new stores and modernising its supply chain by strengthening its technology infrastructure.

The company went on to say that it is restoring momentum in the second half of the year, with its food business mostly recovered with margins closer to normal, with sales increasing 7.8 per cent over the period.

The company added that recovery in fashion and home and beauty segments has been slower due to "systems complexity”. Sales in this category declined by 16.4 per cent compared with the previous year.

Store sales declined 3.4 per cent due to reduced availability and fewer visits linked to the lack of Click and Collect.

Click and collect services at M&S were not restored until August this year, almost four months after the cyber-attack.


M&S said that while its online sales dropped by almost 43 per cent, they have been improving.

The company managed to restore online orders in June and relaunched its loyalty scheme the following month.

M&S highlighted that it had borne almost £50 million in extra costs for the new Extended Producer Responsibility packaging levy and higher national insurance contributions which had affected its overall profit.

Looking ahead, M&S said it is confident that it will have fully recovered from the cyber-attack and be back on track by the end of the financial year.

It added that the company’s medium and long term ambitions have not changed, with the business anticipating profits in line with last year’s.

Stuart Machin, chief executive at M&S, said the underlying strength of the business and robust financial foundations gave the company the resilience to face into the challenge and deal with it.

“Our obsession with quality and innovation is paying off, underpinned by a relentless focus on trusted value, with value ranges growing year-on-year,” he added. “We are determined to help our customers have a fantastic Christmas with exceptional service and what I truly believe is the best Christmas food and fashion in the market.”

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