The Co-op is now in a “recovery phase” after it was hit by a third-party cyber attack late last month.

In the latest statement from the convenience retailer, published today (14 May), a spokesperson said: “We are now in the recovery phase and are taking steps to bring our systems gradually back online in a safe and controlled manner.”

The statement added that Co-op had taken “early and decisive action to restrict access to our systems” in order to protect the group.

The Co-op was first hit by the cyber attack in April, when its back-office systems and call centre services were hacked.

At the time the retailer acted to protect its systems, through measures such as shutting down some business services for teams running stores and its legal services division.

Subscribe to Grocery Gazette for free

Sign up here to get the latest grocery and food news each morning

It then experienced product shortages, particularly across categories such as fruit and vegetables, meat and dairy, and had to divert stock to stores in remote countryside locations.

However, in its food business, the grocer said that there will be improved stock availability in stores and online from this weekend. It added that its stock ordering system is now fully online, with all orders switched back to normal supply processes and systems.

All forms of payments, including contactless and chip and pin are working across the entire Co-op store estate.

The spokesperson added: “We’d like to thank all our colleagues, members, partners and suppliers for their support so far. We will provide further updates to our members as we continue to make progress from this cyber attack.”