The hack caused about £324 million in lost sales, with £100 million recovered via cyber insurance and a projected overall profit impact of roughly £136 million, including about £34 million in the final six months of the year.

Looking ahead, Marks & Spencer plans to lay the groundwork for growth in the next year despite sector-wide challenges.

Management says the incident had temporary effects on results, while the group continues its transformation, including store investments, supply chain modernization for food and fashion, and stronger technology infrastructure.

M&S opened six new stores in the first half and plans to add 12 more by March as part of its growth strategy.

The company expects profits in the final six months to be at least in line with last year as it continues cost-cutting and work to regain market share amid competitive pressure.

Industry and political voices, including the chair of a key parliamentary security committee, stressed cyber resilience as a priority for both business and government.

Industry observers warn the disruption may have longer-term effects, noting rivals such as Next attracted customers during the interruption.

Marks & Spencer reports that profits for the six months to late September more than halved to £184.1 million, hit by a cyber-attack that disrupted online orders for clothing and homeware for over six weeks.

CEO Stuart Machin described the first half as extraordinary but said the company is returning to track, with underlying strength and resilience as operations normalize.

Machin reiterated confidence in returning to profitability in the second half and driving growth, while acknowledging sector headwinds and ongoing cost reductions.

Fashion was the hardest hit, with total sales down 16.4% and online fashion down 42.9% in the period.

An interim dividend of 1.2 pence per share was declared, up 20% year-on-year, payable in January to shareholders on the register at the end of November.