Marks & Spencer Reports Profit Recovery After 2025 Cyber-Attack

Marks & Spencer reported a significant profit recovery for the six months ending September 26, with total sales rising 16.2% to approximately £9.2 billion. The retailer is continuing to recover from a major cyber-attack during Easter 2025 that shut down its website for over six weeks and crippled logistics systems.

While the food division performed strongly, the clothing, beauty, and homewares sectors suffered a long-tail impact from the hack. Manual ordering processes implemented after the attack led to widespread stock shortages throughout the summer. Reports on the company's financial performance vary, with some citing profits of £355 million and others stating adjusted pre-tax profits reached £403.2 million.

Chief Executive Stuart Machin stated that the brand remains in good health, though results fell short of their potential. The company now faces an onslaught of cost headwinds totaling £35 million, driven by packaging levies, pay increases, national insurance, and disruptions in the Middle East.