TFG London, the United Kingdom division of The Foschini Group retail conglomerate, has launched an investigation into a cyber-security incident identified on Sunday. The breach impacted information technology systems across three of the company’s fashion brands: Phase Eight, Hobbs, and Whistles. The retailer stated it is collaborating with external cyber-security specialists to determine the scope and nature of the incident.
According to statements from TFG London, the brands’ physical stores continued normal operations, though certain website functionalities were temporarily unavailable. The company communicated with affected customers via email, indicating that payment information did not appear to have been compromised. The retailer said it would continue investigating whether any sensitive customer information was affected and would notify those impacted directly. The company advised customers that changing account passwords was not necessary at that time.
Separately, fashion retailer H&M disclosed that it is investigating claims of a cyber-attack allegedly conducted by ShinyHunters, a hacking group previously associated with high-profile breaches targeting organizations including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Rockstar Games, and Ticketmaster. H&M stated it has found no initial evidence that its data environment was compromised but acknowledged awareness of information circulating online regarding the potential incident.
Security experts characterized the incidents as part of a broader trend targeting the retail sector. Beverley Griffiths, a senior lecturer in security at Bucks New University, noted that major fashion brands are increasingly in the sights of cyber attackers seeking ransom payments by threatening to release customer data. Charlotte Wilson, head of enterprise at cyber-security firm Check Point, remarked that the clustering of retail-sector attacks resembled a concentrated wave. Industry analysts suggested that retailers must reevaluate the security of their systems and their incident response capabilities.
The incidents come one week after online fashion and beauty retailer Asos disclosed a separate breach, during which hackers used the company’s app notification system to deliver ransom demands—a tactic security experts characterized as unprecedented.
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