Painful setback for revived brand
The timing of the crisis could hardly be worse for M&S, which has been enjoying a reputational and financial rebound under chief executive Stuart Machin. The company is scheduled to report its full-year results in just three weeks.
Last year, its adjusted pre-tax profits stood at £716 million — a figure now under pressure as daily online sales, worth approximately £3.5 million, stall.
Shares in the retailer have slid 7 percent since last Tuesday, reflecting mounting investor anxiety. While the long-term reputational damage may prove limited, analysts warn that short-term customer attrition is almost inevitable.
Remote work: Double-edged sword
The latest attack exposes the enduring tensions between flexible work arrangements and robust cybersecurity. The expansion of remote access, accelerated during the pandemic, introduced a wider array of devices and networks into corporate ecosystems — many outside the reach of traditional IT controls.
Home routers, unpatched personal laptops, and even distracted human behaviour can present entry points for adversaries. The hybrid model reduces oversight and, crucially, fragments real-time collaboration, making it harder for staff to flag suspicious behaviour or phishing attempts.