Co-op marginally avoided being locked out of its computer systems after quick-thinking bosses turned them all off - avoiding a worse outage similar to that experienced by M&S days earlier.
Earlier this month, cyber crooks infiltrated the Co-op's IT networks, apparently trying to extort money from the chain.
In a wave of attacks that had also targeted Harrods and M&S, it is believed hacking group Scattered Spider attempted to upload malicious software using the cyber crime service DragonForce, to various British companies.
But after M&S was seriously compromised, Co-op staff spotted the attempted cyberattack in action and 'yanked the plug' on their own systems, the hackers told the BBC.
The group moved to limit the impact of the attack by shutting down some IT systems, including parts of its supply chain and logistics operations, resulting in disruption to deliveries.
