Co-op cyberattack cost £206m as retailer reports first half loss
Co-op saw its revenue decline in the first half of 2025 to £5.48bn, compared to £5.6bn in the same period last year.
The convenience brand lost £206m in group revenue due to the cyber-attacks that targeted the business in April. Co-op recorded a pre-tax loss of £50m, which was driven by the financial impact of the cyber-attack and trading disruption.
The retailer also said higher National Insurance fees, living wages and packaging tax added significant cost headwinds in the first half of the year.
Chief executive Shirine Khoury-Haq said: “Over the past three years, we’ve built a stronger and more resilient Co-op, one that’s better able to navigate the headwinds that all businesses are facing.
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“When we experienced a significant cyberattack, that financial strength allowed us to respond as a member-owned organisation. I’m very proud of how we reacted: we kept trading, prioritised colleagues and vulnerable communities, and launched a partnership with The Hacking Games to tackle youth disenfranchisement – the root of many cyber threats.
Khoury-Haq: added: “The cyberattack highlighted many of our strengths. But more importantly, it also highlighted areas we need to focus on, particularly in our food business. We’ve already started on this journey, refining our member and customer proposition, making structural changes to our business, and setting our Co-op up for long-term success.”
Moving forward, the business plans to mitigate the financial headwinds from the cyberattack and anticipates a challenging economic environment.
Debbie White, Chair of the Co-op, said: “The first half of 2025 brought significant challenges, most notably from a malicious cyberattack. Our balance sheet strength and the magnificent response of our 53,000 colleagues enabled us to maintain vital services for our members and their communities. We must now build our Co-op back better and stronger to meet the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”
