Several Greggs outlets across the UK have been forced to close or accept only cash payments due to an IT issue impacting card transactions, affecting cities including London and Manchester.
Greggs, the UK-based bakery chain, has been experiencing closures across several of its shops due to an IT issue that has impacted card payments. This problem has caused inconvenience for customers in various cities including London, Manchester, Cardiff, Glasgow, Newcastle, and Westminster, with some stores only able to accept cash payments. The exact number of affected branches remains unclear, but Greggs operates over 2,300 outlets nationwide.
The issue, first reported on March 20, 2024, adds Greggs to the list of major retailers such as McDonald’s, Sainsbury’s, and Tesco, which have recently faced technical challenges. These incidents have highlighted the vulnerability of digital payment systems in the retail sector, emphasizing the reliance customers and businesses have on these technologies.
Greggs has acknowledged the problem, stating they are working swiftly to resolve the issue. The bakery chain has also suggested that customers use the Greggs mobile app or Uber Eats for placing orders as interim solutions where card payments cannot be processed. Despite the inconvenience, some Greggs fans responded on social media with lighthearted comments regarding the situation.
This series of IT glitches across major UK chains has raised concerns about the frequency and impact of such incidents, leaving many customers inconvenienced. Consumer expert Harry Wallop expressed worries over the recurrence of these issues in a short time span, questioning the robustness of payment systems within these establishments.
As the situation unfolds, Greggs is focused on restoring full service and minimizing disruptions to its operations, aiming to swiftly address the payment issues for its loyal customer base across the country.
