Co-op chief executive 'very proud' of cyber attack response despite huge financial losses

"In a statement reacting to the company's recent earnings report, Shrine Khoury-Haq said the company's "financial strength allowed us to respond as a member-owned organization". "I'm very proud of how we reacted: we kept trading, prioritized colleagues and vulnerable communities, and launched a partnership with The Hacking Games to tackle youth disenfranchisement - the root of many cyber threats," Khoury-Haq said. Khoury-Haq's upbeat outlook comes after the retailer reported significant financial losses in the aftermath of the attack."

""The first half of 2025 brought significant challenges, most notably from a malicious cyber attack," said chairwoman Debbie White. "Our balance sheet strength and the magnificent response of our 53,000 colleagues enabled us to maintain vital services for our members and their communities. We must now build our Co-op back better and stronger to meet the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.""

"Co-op revealed the incident cost £206 million in revenue and £80 million in operating profits. Overall, pre-tax profit went from £58 million in the first half of last year to a loss of £50 million in the six months to 5 July this year. Looking ahead, the company said it expects to see further financial effects from the attack during the second half of this year, although the impact would be lower than during the first half."

A malicious cyber attack in April stole data of all 6.5 million members, including names, addresses and contact information. The attack caused empty shelves, payment problems and widespread operational disruption across UK stores. The incident cost £206 million in revenue and £80 million in operating profits, flipping a prior £58 million pre-tax profit into a £50 million loss for the six months to 5 July. Leadership emphasized continued trading, support for colleagues and vulnerable communities, and launched a partnership with The Hacking Games to address youth disenfranchisement. The Co-op contained the incident, worked with the NCSC, and expects smaller further financial impacts in the second half.

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