An article appeared in the bottom left corner of page 12 of The Times on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The title was “Co-op shelves empty after hack causes supply chaos.” Co-op markets are cooperative grocery stores all over the UK and shelves were bare after a cyberattack. The attack affected the ordering system, immobilized parts of the supply chain, and crippled systems that control stock levels. Deliveries to isolated parts of the country, where co-op markets are the only place to buy groceries, were prioritized after the attack. The supply issues also affected other grocery stores that obtain products from Co-op warehouses. The situation was not expected to return to normal for a month.
Marks & Spencer and Harrod’s have also experienced cyberattacks which have caused supply issues. The attacks have been described as “sophisticated.”
Cyberattacks are becoming more and more sophisticated and are affecting a whole variety of businesses throughout the world, both small and large.
Can you cope with empty shelves at the store without warning – food, drugs, clothing, office supplies, and…everything else? Can you survive well for a month or more or will you panic after a day or two? These are valid questions you need to ask yourself especially if you have a family depending on you.
You can find a list of how much food to store for a month through this link.
More information on preparing for the expected can be found at www.simplyprepared.com
