The company said the co-op’s customers should see stocks on the shelves start to return to more normal levels this weekend, as it announced that it would reopen its online ordering system after a cyber attack.

The hacker has encountered payment problems, widespread shortage of goods in stores, and data damage to customers and employees.

Criminals' use of cybercrime service Dragonforce also claimed to be similar attacks on Marks and Spencer (M&S) and indictment of attempting to attack Harrods earlier this month.

The cooperative said it is "gradually returning its systems to online in a safe and controlled way."

Earlier this month, cybercriminals infiltrated the co-op’s IT network, apparently trying to extort money from grocery chains.

The company has caused huge delivery disruptions by closing certain IT systems, including part of its supply chain and logistics operations, to limit the impact of the attack.

Shoppers share images of empty shelves and refrigerators – a special issue in rural communities where retailers can be the only large food store.

The cooperative said this will improve in the coming days and online as it works with suppliers to restock.

It says all payment systems, including contactless payments, will be backed up and run.

In a statement, the company thanked “colleagues, members, partners and suppliers for their support to date.”

Even though retailers now want to go back to things like business as usual, experts warn that cyber attacks will affect co-ops in the future.

Professor Oli Buckley, a cybersecurity expert at Loughborough University, told BBC News that “the reputational impact of such an attack on the attack can be lingered.”

"Their work on recovery helps to soften a little, but rebuilding trust will be more difficult," he said.

He added that the cost of restoring and upgrading security systems could also have a “lasting ripple effect” on the company’s finances.

Dr. Harjinder Lallie, a cybersecurity reader at Warwick University, said customers may “share more cautiously with sharing personal and financial information.”

He said the hack is a reminder of the retail industry that more complex IT systems and advanced attacks mean “active investment in resilience is no longer optional – it is essential.”

In a message sent to suppliers earlier this week, and first reported by the grocery store, the cooperative requires patience as it brings the system back to normal operation.

It warns that "volatility" may increase.

Cyber ​​criminals claim to have private information about the 20 million people who signed a cooperative socialist program, but the company will not confirm that number.

M&S admitted on Tuesday that certain customer data were stolen from its system’s hack.

Customers are still unable to make online orders with M&S after retailers were forced to pause for nearly three weeks.