Co-op is offering a discount after a major cyber attack saw customers’ data stolen – but not everyone’s happy. The supermarket chain has introduced a £10 discount off a minimum shop of £40 as a “gesture of appreciation” following the disruption, which caused chaos for the firm and its customers last month.
The offer begins on Wednesday and lasts for a week. It’s open to members and new members who purchase a temporary card in-store and activate it. During the offer period, it’s also available to people who register for membership online on their website or via the Co-op App, though staff are not eligible.
Some customers were left unimpressed with the discount, with one writing on Reddit: “So that would bring a £30 shop elsewhere down to £35 at the Co-op.
Another wrote: “What a joke, a £40 shop at the co-op is basically a £30 shop anywhere else.
“Don’t think I’ve ever spent more than £20, there’s a reason I only pop in for a few bits that the weekly shop didn’t cover.”
“This isn’t compensation, it’s marketing.”
However, a third added: “To be fair, it’s more than most companies give for these things.”
Retail consultant Catherine Shuttleworth told BBC News: “You’d be pushed to spend that [£40] in a Co-op – the average shop would be between £10 and £15. It’s a very high threshold for a convenience business.”
She added that the company was attempting to show commitment to its most loyal shoppers, but suggested the firm was “not going to see huge redemptions on that offer”.
The retail expert said members would probably prefer to get practical on securing their data over the discount.
Customers had complained of empty shelves in stores, as the attack, which hit the headlines in May, impacted deliveries.
It also briefly affected card payments in some stores, with shoppers only able to pay in cash, and online orders were also disrupted.
Co-op alleged that “malicious third parties” extracted data from one of its systems, including “Co-op Group members’ personal data such as names, contact details (residential address, email address and phone number) and dates of birth”, according to an FAQ on its website.
However, the firm says it doesn’t believe the “following types of identifiable personal data have been extracted: members’ passwords, bank or credit card details, transactions or information relating to any members’ or customers’ products or services with the Co-op Group”.
It also reassured customers that member passwords “were not stored in the affected system” and that they “do not believe that they have been compromised”.
Co-op says it “took early and decisive action” to address the attack, including “restricting access to some systems,” which helped “contain the issue and protect our wider organisation.”
The company has apologised to customers and says they are investigating the incident with the help of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the National Crime Agency (NCA).
A spokesman for the chain said: “This offer is a thank you to the owners of our Co-op for supporting us so much over the past few weeks, with more value rewards to come this summer.
“Members are able to use this deal across our stores ahead of the good weather this week to purchase our award-winning wines, British barbecue ranges or to simply stock up their cupboards with everyday essentials.
“This is more than a promotional moment. It is a visible sign that Co-op is back on the front foot and backing our members with meaningful value at this peak summer period when our members traditionally shop more for convenience.”
In her most recent update to customers on the Co-op website, the chain’s CEO, Shirine Khoury-Haq, said the company “can confirm that we are now in a much stronger position” since the attack.
“Our stores are now receiving regular deliveries, so you can expect to find more of the products you need in your local store from this weekend.”
