Co-op has diverted stock to stores in rural areas, as it struggles to address supply shortages following the ongoing fallout from its recent cyber attack.

The convenience giant has prioritised supplying essential products to remote countryside locations, reported The Telegraph.

The news follows reports that some of the more remote locations in Co-op’s over 2500-store network were forced to pause important operations, leaving the business struggling to manage deliveries from its suppliers.

Technical difficulties with the retailer’s Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) system have meant its stock management and deliveries have taken a hit, with suppliers claiming they have been asked to cancel deliveries to Co-op’s warehouses in recent days.

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Popular grocery staples impacted include loo rolls, milk, and vegetables, with reports of some shoppers facing empty shelves.

It is understood that the decision to prioritise remote store branches may lead to further stock shortages in urban locations.

The convenience giant is still dealing with the aftermath of the cyber attack that forced it to shut down internal systems, including back-office and call centres.

Speaking on Monday (5 May) CEO Shirine Khoury-Haq said: “This is obviously extremely distressing for our colleagues and members, and I am very sorry this happened.”

A string of cyber attack has crippled UK retailers, including M&S and Harrods, in recent weeks.

Yesterday, the government unveiled a £16m support package to aid the sector in preventing future cyber attacks.