Shortage of KP Nuts and Hula Hoops looms after cyber-attack

Stores also warn of supply problems for McCoy’s and Tyrrells crisps after ransomware attack hits KP Snacks IT systems

A cyber-attack targeting KP Snacks could lead to a shortage of some of the nation’s most popular snacks including Hula Hoops, McCoy’s and Tyrrells crisps, Butterkist, Skips, Nik Naks and KP Nuts.

The company has sent a letter to partner stores saying the ransomware attack, which has crippled its IT and communications systems, could lead to supply issues until “the end of March at the earliest” as it “cannot safely process orders or dispatch goods”.

The warning message, sent out through the groceries wholesaler Nisa, said KP Snacks was going to limit the size of orders to retailers so it could “manage what stock we do have”, according to the website Better Retailing, which first published news of the attack.

“On Friday 28 January we became aware that we were unfortunately victims of a ransomware incident,” said KP Snacks in a statement. “As soon as we became aware of the incident, we enacted our cybersecurity response plan and engaged a leading forensic information technology firm and legal counsel to assist us in our investigation.

“Our internal IT teams continue to work with third-party experts to assess the situation. We have been continuing to keep our colleagues, customers, and suppliers informed of any developments and apologise for any disruption this may have caused.”

The hackers are threatening to release information stolen from the company’s IT systems in order to try to force it into making a payment to decrypt its files to continue operations.

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre has warned that even if firms pay up “there is no guarantee that you will get access to your computer, or your files”.

In October, the crisp giant Walkers was hit by IT issues that resulted in gaps on shelves that lasted through to the end of December.

In December, the Spar wholesaler and store operator James Hall was also hit by severe IT issues after a cyber-attack affected more than 600 independent and centrally owned Spar stores across the north of England, forcing many to close temporarily.

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