Cyber attack forces desperate Co-op into flogging Christmas pastries in MAY

CO-OP stores started flogging Christmas pastries in May — amid stock supply chaos after a crippling cyber attack.

In a desperate bid to fill empty shelves the chain shipped out the chicken and cranberry Festive ­Slices to some supermarkets.

The £1.90 treats are typically sold in November and December.

But ongoing online problems meant they were available again last week.

Co-op’s internal ordering system was hit by a cyber attack last month before the retailer pulled the plug on its own software to limit the damage.

As a result some branches have been sent the winter warmers instead of the anticipated summer supplies.

One staff member told The Sun: “They sent them, so we cooked them.

“It was a bit strange, but we have to keep items on the shelves or customers will go elsewhere.

“Customers have been a bit confused, but it’s still a good product.

“They’ve actually been quite popular despite being so out of season.”

Private customer data was stolen in the hack but the Co-op said that did not include passwords, bank or credit card details.

A spokesman said: “Stock availability has improved and we continue to work closely with our suppliers.”

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