Tesco Website & App Outage Sparks Customer Frustration
Tesco has publicly apologised after experiencing significant IT issues that have prevented customers from accessing its website and mobile app.
The outages have caused widespread frustration amongst shoppers trying to change orders, check out, or access their Clubcard loyalty accounts.
Many Tesco customers took to social media platforms to voice their frustrations. Their common issues included:
- Inability to process changes to online orders.
- Difficulty checking out.
- Problems accessing and using their Clubcard vouchers and points.
In a statement on social media, Tesco acknowledged the problems, stating they were experiencing intermittent system issues and that their IT team was actively working to resolve them.
Outage Monitoring Reports Increased Problems
Monitoring sites like Downdetector showed a surge in reports of issues with Tesco’s website and mobile app, indicating widespread outages affecting many users.
Impact on Loyal Customers and Other Retailers
Tesco's Clubcard loyalty scheme, which boasts over 20 million members, has been particularly affected. Customers reported being unable to access their accounts via the Tesco app to collect points or redeem vouchers while shopping.
This isn't the first incident at Tesco this year. In February 2025, Tesco faced another technical fault that caused issues such as items disappearing from baskets or being marked as unavailable at checkout.
In recent weeks, other major UK retailers such as Marks and Spencer (M&S) and the Co-op also experienced outages, which were linked to cyber attacks. However, there is currently no evidence to suggest Tesco’s current problems were caused by hackers.
Trouble At M&S
The disruption at M&S resulted from a major cyber attack that caused widespread disruption to its online services. Customers were g unable to access their accounts, browse products, or complete purchases through the M&S website and app. This outage not only frustrated shoppers trying to shop remotely but also temporarily compromised their ability to manage orders, access digital gift cards, and use online loyalty schemes.
The incident highlights the increasing threat of cyber attacks on retail platforms and the significant impact such disruptions can have on customer experience and trust.
Costly Problems At Barclays Bank
In related news, Barclays Bank has agreed to pay £12.5 million in compensation following its own extensive IT outage earlier this year. Customers affected by the disruption experienced difficulties accessing their accounts and conducting transactions, prompting the bank to settle with regulators over its failure to maintain operational stability.
The settlement emphasises the importance of robust cybersecurity and IT infrastructure in financial institutions amid rising digital dependency. Barclays’ outage caused outages and delays that impacted thousands of customers, prompting widespread criticism and highlighting the need for improved resilience in banking systems.
Conclusion
Tesco’s ongoing IT issues underscore the critical need for reliable digital infrastructure in retail. While the current outages do not appear linked to cyberattacks, they highlight vulnerabilities in the increasingly digital shopping landscape. Meanwhile, Barclays Bank’s recent £12.5 million settlement reflects the serious consequences organisations face when their systems fail, emphasising the importance of IT resilience across sectors.
As technology continues to evolve, both retailers and financial institutions must prioritise cybersecurity and system robustness to prevent future disruptions that can impact millions of consumers.
Tesco | BBC | BBC | Retail Tech Innovation Hub | GBNews | Eastern Eye | FT |
Image: @Tesco
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