Victoria’s Secret Website Offline After Security Incident, Shares Slide

Victoria’s Secret & Co. has taken its U.S. e-commerce site offline and limited certain in-store functions while a security breach is investigated. Shoppers who attempt to visit the lingerie retailer’s site currently see a maintenance notice explaining that both online ordering and some point-of-sale services are temporarily unavailable.

Timing and scope

Company updates suggest order processing began to falter after Sunday 25 May. An FAQ for customers indicates that orders placed before Monday 26 May are still being shipped, but new transactions cannot be completed until systems are restored. Social-media reports from customers point to service interruptions as early as Sunday evening.

Customer impact

• Online orders: Processing continues for purchases completed before 26 May; no timetable has been given for handling newer orders.

• Returns and coupons: Return windows and promotional expiries have been extended to offset delays.

• In-store services: Physical stores remain open, yet staff face restrictions on certain look-ups and payment options.

International websites appear to be unaffected, and Victoria’s Secret says it is collaborating with external cybersecurity specialists to contain and resolve the incident.

Market reaction

The security disruption quickly reached Wall Street. Shares of Victoria’s Secret (NYSE: VSCO) fell more than 11 percent between the close of trading on Tuesday and the market’s open on Thursday before stabilising in late-day dealings. Analysts attributed the drop to uncertainty around potential data exposure and lost online sales.

Broader context

The incident mirrors a series of recent high-profile breaches affecting global retailers, highlighting the sector’s growing exposure to cyberthreats. Industry consultants note that large brands with sprawling digital and physical footprints must continually update defences to reduce risk.

Consumer guidance

Security experts advise customers to remain alert for phishing emails that mimic order updates, change reused passwords, and monitor credit-card statements for unusual activity while the investigation continues.

Victoria’s Secret has pledged to post regular updates on its FAQ page and to restore full service as soon as possible.

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