The supermarket retailer is recovering from the attack, which left store shelves bare and customer data compromised, and hackers claiming responsibility have said they tried to hit Co-op with ransomware.

However, they told the BBC: "Co-op's network never ever suffered ransomware.

"They yanked their own plug - tanking sales, burning logistics, and torching shareholder value."

The broadcaster said the hackers - who were using cyber crime service DragonForce - got in touch with a "long, offensive rant".

It's said they were angry the IT team took the computer services offline, which in turn halted the criminals' attack.

Co-op has been recovering quicker than fellow retailer Marks and Spencer, which is still not able to process online orders.

Despite the tone from the hackers, Ransomware Task Force expert Jen Ellis praised Co-op's response.

She said: "Co-op seems to have opted for self-imposed immediate-term disruption as a means of avoiding criminal-imposed, longer-term disruption.

"It seems to have been a good call for them in this instance."

The cyber crime group also claimed responsibility for an attempted attack on Harrods, although it's not clear who is actually using DragonForce to attack the businesses.