Morrisons Reports Impact of Cyber Attack on Holiday Sales

January 29, 2025 - 11:05

British supermarket group Morrisons announced that a cyber attack in November on its technology provider, Blue Yonder, significantly affected its product availability during the crucial Christmas sales period. CEO Rami Baitieh explained that the incident forced the company to shut down its warehouse management system, resulting in a lack of visibility regarding fresh produce stock levels for several days. This disruption hindered the supermarket's ability to meet customer demand during one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year.

Despite the challenges posed by the cyber attack, Finance Chief Jo Goff noted that Morrisons experienced sales growth in the first quarter ending in January. However, this growth was less robust compared to the previous quarter's 4.9% increase. The supermarket's struggles highlight the ongoing risks associated with cyber security in the retail sector, as companies increasingly rely on technology to manage their supply chains and inventory.