Hannaford website, app back online after weeklong outage
Hannaford Restores Online Shopping After Week‑Long Cybersecurity Shutdown
Scarborough, Maine – Hannaford’s web and mobile shopping services went dark on Oct. 12, the same day Dutch grocery group Ahold Delhaize shut down systems worldwide after hackers disrupted refrigeration units at more than 700 French supermarkets. A week later, the chain’s e‑commerce platforms are back online, and customers can once again place orders for delivery or curb‑side pickup.
The pause was described by Ahold Delhaize as a “precautionary measure.” According to a statement from Hannaford’s spokesperson, Caitlin Cortelyou, the “suspicious activity” that prompted the shutdown had no connection to the French incidents and the company found no evidence that sensitive data—whether customer, employee, or partner—was compromised.
“Customers rely on our online services for convenience, and we understand the disruption,” Cortelyou told the newsroom. “We are grateful for your patience and thank our associates for keeping our stores and pharmacies running smoothly during the outage.”
While the website and app were offline, all 188 Hannaford locations—including 68 stores in Maine—continued to serve shoppers in person and through the in‑store pharmacy. The chain’s parent, Ahold Delhaize, said it had no indication that its refrigeration systems were affected, though a few stores had experienced cooling problems in recent weeks.
To thank loyal patrons, Hannaford offered a $10 discount on the next purchase of $100 or more, valid through Oct. 28. The discount is available to all customers enrolled in the reward program.
The outage follows a recent data breach that hit Hannaford in November 2024. The breach exposed personal information for more than 95,000 Mainers and about 2.2 million people nationwide, according to a prior report from The Press Herald.
The French incident that coincided with the shutdown involved hackers forcing supermarket refrigeration units into continuous defrost cycles, raising temperatures to as high as 50 °C (122 °F). The resulting heat caused widespread food loss and even fires at several stores, as reported by the Associated Press.
Hannaford, headquartered in Scarborough, is Maine’s second‑largest employer, employing roughly 9,500 workers across the state and the broader Northeast region.
Customers who experience issues with the newly restored online service can contact the chain’s customer support line or visit their local store for assistance.
