Cyberattack hits major distributor for grocers
Whole Foods, others may see supply impact
By: Anthony Robledo
USA Today
..... A major food distributor that supplies items to whole Foods and other grocers was hit with a cyberattack that could impact supply at some stores.
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North American wholesale distributors United Natural Foods said on June 9 [2025] that unauthorized activity in tits systems forced it tot take some of them off-line. Forensic experts and law enforcement are both investigating, the company said in a statement.
..... "We are assessing the unauthorized activity and working to restore our systems to safety bring them back Online. As we work through this issue, our customers, suppliers, and associates are our highest priority. We are working closely with them to minimize disruption as much as possible," the statement said.
..... The company said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that the incident "has temporarily impacted the company's ability to fulfill and distribute customers orders" since it was discovered by the company on June 5. [2025]
..... A whole Foods spokespeople said the supermarket chain is working to restock its shelves as quickly as possible as it apologizes for any inconveniences to customers.
..... One X user visiting a Whole Foods store said the shelves were empty, along with signs apologizing, adding: "it reminds me of when the pandemic first hit."
..... In a Reddit post, one user shared a picture of a primarily empty refrigeration shelf with a paper sign attached.
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"We are experiencing a temporary out of stock issue for some products,: the sign reads. "we apologize for the inconvenience and should have your favorite produces back in stock soon."
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Grocery and retail businesses across the United States and he United Kingdom have been subject to rising ransomware attacks, according to Keith Wojcieszek, the global head of threat intelligence for risk and financial firm Kroll.
..... Data exfiltration and ransomware attacks have targeted the retail sector in an effort form bad actors to receive large monetary payouts, according to Kroll. The firm in May [2025] tracked at least 16 ransomware posts targeting retail organizations through extortion efforts.
..... "The biggest requisition right now is who's behind the chaos and disruption of these cyberattacks. Unfortunately, it's not an easy one to answer as hackers have become increasingly interchangeable and decentralized, without a clear organizational structure," Wojcieszek said in a statement to USA today.
..... Woljcieszek added that retail sector is highly exposed to these attacks because of tis reliance on digital systems.
..... Other U.S. retailers have been tarted recently including Victoria's Secret temporarily shutting down its website due to a security threat and Adidias reportedly falling falling to a third-party data breach.