Grocery store hack could have broader implications, national security expert says
WPVI
ByLeland Pinder
Thursday, October 15, 2026 3:12AM
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) —Customers attempting to shop online with Giant, Stop & Shop and Food Lion on Wednesday found some websites and mobile apps unavailable as parent company Ahold Delhaize responded to a cybersecurity incident affecting its network.
The company said it is working to restore affected systems after taking some services offline. Stores remain open, and Ahold Delhaize says it has found no evidence that customer data was stolen.
For some shoppers, the most visible impact was the temporary loss of digital tools such as coupons and online ordering.
“Two things that struck me here: there has been no kind of demand for ransom, no PII, no personal information of customers has been spilled out or stolen, so what’s the reason for doing this?” said national security expert Jack Tomarchio.
READ MORE | Giant, Stop & Shop, Food Lion websites, apps down after cybersecurity incident, company says
Tomarchio said the circumstances raise questions about potential motives behind the incident.
“There is one potential culprit that spends a lot of time going after targets like energy facilities, and now this is a food
While no one has claimed responsibility, Tomarchio noted that Iran has spent years probing dams, power plants, ports and other critical American infrastructure. He said the nation’s food supply could also be viewed as a target.
“The food supply, the water supply is a very important national security asset,” Tomarchio said.
The concerns come as France recently dealt with a major cyberattack targeting grocery store refrigeration systems, forcing stores to discard millions of dollars in spoiled food. The incidents do not appear to be connected, but Tomarchio said they underscore broader risks and vulnerabilities.
“This is about hardening systems; everything is a target,” he said.
Some shoppers at Giant in South Philadelphia said the incident reflects growing concerns about cybersecurity in everyday life.
“There’s a different breach every other day, it feels like,” said Abby Nix of South Philadelphia.
“It’s a grocery store, next thing it’s a hospital, next thing it’s something else,” said Steve Hogsten of Pennsport.
Others questioned whether the convenience of digital shopping tools outweighs potential security concerns.
“It’s scary because all of us shoppers are utilizing these apps and shopping with the intention of trying to make it more efficient, so it makes you double-think if that’s a safe way to be shopping,” said Jamie Deni of South Philadelphia.
Ahold Delhaize released a full statementon the cybersecurity incident.
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Related Topics
- CYBERATTACK
- GROCERY STORE
- U.S. & WORLD
