Empty shelves can still be seen across several Albert Heijn locations on Friday morning following a major cybersecurity incident at the supermarket chain, despite an announcement on Thursday that stores were being fully restocked. Reporters from Dutch news agency ANP observed widespread shortages, particularly among fresh produce like fruit and vegetables, though restocking efforts are gradually progressing. At the Albert Heijn XL in Tilburg, empty bays were visible in the onion, fruit, and meat departments, with staff explaining that fully replenishing stock is happening slowly and simply takes time. Similar shortages were reported in Rotterdam, where notices were pinned up alerting customers to supply issues with fresh produce and dairy, though a neighbouring store appeared slightly better stocked.
The disruption was equally noticeable at convenience stores, with commuters at The Hague Central Station’s AH to Go branch missing out on milk, grapes, and strawberries, as well as ambient lines like soft drinks and crisps. In several instances, staff had turned shelf labels upside down to signify missing stock. An Albert Heijn spokesperson reassured customers that inventory levels have been steadily improving since Thursday as nationwide deliveries from distribution hubs fully resume.
The widespread shortages stem from Albert Heijn’s decision to preemptively shut down specific IT systems following the cyber incident. Beyond physical store stock, the shutdown has suspended home grocery deliveries until at least Sunday and taken down the transactional websites and mobile apps for Albert Heijn and sister brands Etos and Gall & Gall. While the chain is in the process of gradually bringing systems back online, management has not yet disclosed the precise nature of the attack, and police cybercrime officer Stan Duijf confirmed on television programme Pauw & De Wit that no formal police report has been filed.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
