Following the news that Carpetright has been impacted by a cyberattack which has prevented it from taking orders both instore and online since last Thursday (18 April);

Matthew Walton, Senior Retail Analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers his view:

“The impact this attack has had on Carpetright’s current orders and its future reputation has come at a very inopportune time for the retailer. The floorcoverings market at the moment is very challenging – GlobalData forecasts that the floorcoverings market will contract by 2.5% in the first half of 2024. The negative impact of this attack may also encourage more shoppers to switch to other retailers including its closest rival Tapi, rather than wait for Carpetright to be able to process orders.

“Like many retailers, Carpetright has taken steps to reduce its costs recently to navigate a challenging big-ticket market, and has already reportedly hired Teneo to explore possible cuts. However, this shows that whatever challenges retailers are under, they cannot afford to cut back on is cybersecurity.

“Carpetright is the latest retailer to be targeted by cyberattacks, joining the ranks of Boots, WH Smith and JD Sports which have come under attack since the start of 2023. Data protection company Thales’ 2022 Data Threat Report shows that 45% of retail respondents had seen an increase in the volume, scope and severity of cyberattacks while 32% had experienced a security breach.”