Cyber Incident Victim: James Pascoe Group
Date:
Mar 2025
Location:
New Zealand
Summary
The James Pascoe Group experienced a cyber attack that disabled its phone lines, customer service email and other IT systems across its retail outlets. The company’s security systems detected the intrusion quickly, limiting further damage, and it said it is investigating while thanking customers for their patience. Shoppers reported being unable to redeem gift vouchers, reach stores by phone or receive email responses, and the websites showed reduced functionality such as removed product‑search features. The group, owned by Anne and David Norman, operates more than 650 stores in New Zealand and Australia and employs about 10,000 people.
| CIA Posture | Motives | Tactics, Techniques & Procedures |
|---|---|---|
| Available to members | 1 motive | 1 technique |
| Threat Actors | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 0 actors | Available to members | Available to members |
Description
Overthe weekend, a cyber attack targeted the James Pascoe Group, causing its phones, customer service emails and other IT systems to go down. The company’s security systems detected the attack quickly, according to a statement issued by the group. The statement said the rapid detection minimized any potential damage and noted that the group was investigating further. James Pascoe Group confirmed the cyber attack publicly late on Tuesday in a brief statement. The group thanked its customers for their patience during the disruption.
Reports of an IT outage across the company’s New Zealand retail outlets began on Saturday. Customers attempting to use gift vouchers at stores such as Farmers Northlands Christchurch were told the website was down and being examined, and that the vouchers could not be used. Shoppers trying to reach Farmers by phone found all lines engaged throughout Christchurch and were unable to connect via the 0800 number. One customer emailed Farmers asking whether they could still purchase a juicer at the advertised price if the website remained unfixed, but received no reply. The group’s internet site had removed the function that allowed users to search for product availability at specific locations. Other customers attempting to redeem gift cards were instructed to return at a later date. Calls to various Farmers stores indicated the problems were widespread across the network.
The James Pascoe Group is privately owned by Anne and David Norman, who are described as reclusive Rich Listers. The Normans control more than 650 retail outlets, including Whitcoulls, Farmers, Pascoes The Jewellers, Goldmark, Stewart Dawson, Stevens, Prouds the Jewellers and Angus & Coote. The group employs approximately 10,000 staff across New Zealand and Australia. In addition to its retail portfolio, the Norman pair own almost 20 percent of The Warehouse Group. The statement indicated that investigations were ongoing and that the company appreciated customer patience.