dunnhumby Grows by ‘Democratizing Customer Data Science’

By Sudipto Ghosh On May 30, 2018

dunnhumby Grows by ‘Democratizing Customer Data Science’

dunnhumby Expanded their Global Client Base by Offering Customer Data Science on a Levelled Playing Field for Retailers and Other Businesses

Following a strategic directive by company’s new CEO, dunnhumby has grown its global client base by 30 percent in just one year. dunnhumby has disclosed the momentum it has gained as it formally executed on a strategy to provide greater access to customer data science.

The company also announced progress in building out its customer data science platform – an integrated suite of software, technology, and services – that will further extend its market reach in the coming year to clients, partners, and other third parties.

By broadening its market reach to include smaller businesses and other consumer-facing businesses in increasingly competitive, data-driven industries, dunnhumby grew its global client base by 30 percent in just one year.

A New CEO’s Strategic Directive

The company’s growth strategies were set by CEO Guillaume Bacuvier, who joined dunnhumby last Spring after serving as Vice President of Advertising Solutions for Google in Europe.

Currently, dunnhumby is the global leader in Customer Data Science, empowering businesses everywhere to compete and thrive in the modern data-driven economy. We always put the Customer First. With deep heritage and expertise in retail — one of the world’s most competitive markets, with a deluge of multi-dimensional data — dunnhumby today enables businesses all over the world, across industries, to be Customer First.

At the time of this announcement, Guillaume Bacuvier said, “In prior work in related markets, I learned two things. First, the market for innovative data solutions is far bigger than the Fortune 1000, which we also serve. This is particularly true of retail — the world’s toughest industry — but the reality is that customer data savvy and competence is a requirement for any consumer-facing business today. By ‘democratizing customer data science’ – that is, making it accessible to companies of all sizes, from many different industries — we have a proven recipe for growth. Second, by opening up our platform to a multitude of other parties, we have an opportunity to grow the addressable market for customer data science at an exponential scale.”

Growth in Customer Base and Executive Leadership

Over the last 12 months, dunnhumby has increased its customer base 30 percent across industries and regions, including American supercenter chain Meijer and Associated Wholesale Grocers, the largest cooperative food wholesaler in the United States; Chilean retail group SMU; and Thailand’s Cigma Insurance as well as the country’s fifth-largest bank, Bank of Ayudhya, and Russia’s second largest food retailer, X5 Retail Group, among many others around the world. To respond to the growing demand, dunnhumby has expanded its global footprint, now with 50 offices in more than 30 countries and more than 2,000 employees.

Currently, 30% of employees are data scientists, supporting the demand to provide a comprehensive customer data science platform to keep up with the world’s appetite for always-on, 24-7 ubiquitous commerce. The company is increasing staff by 30 percent to support acceleration and demand, including adding more data scientists.

The company has also hired five new members to their Leadership team to help shape strategy and continue growth: Gianluca Carrera, Chief Solutions Officer; David Jack, Chief Technology and Product Officer; Mike Pittman, Chief Information Security Officer; David Parry, Global Head of Marketing; and Denise Sefton, Chief People Officer.

To lead industry strategy and growth, dunnhumby has hired Tom Block, Global Head of Retail Pharmacy and will soon announce the Global Managing Director of Connect Media, dunnhumby’s multi-channel media business. In addition, dunnhumby has made a number of other regional and sector appointments.

Latest Acquisition Enhanced dunnhumby’s Ability to Anticipate Client Needs and Expectations

An integrated set of consulting, software, and technology solutions, the dunnhumby customer data science platform is designed to empower businesses through a broad range of capabilities including data strategy, customer engagement, pricing and promotion, omni-channel media, category optimisation, and customer knowledge.

Last week, dunnhumby bolstered its platform by acquir ing A ptaris Software, a leading enterprise marketing and promotions software company. The acquisition is the culmination of a strategic partnership that provided retailers with the only end-to-end promotions management platform on the market.

Additionally, several partnerships, including one with JDA Software Group, Inc., have increased dunnhumby’s ability to anticipate client needs and expectations. dunnhumby will continue to broaden its platform both organically and with investments through its capital arm, dunnhumby Ventures.

CEO of dunnhumby added, “Over the last year, dunnhumby has made huge strides toward our goal to become the world’s leading customer data science company. This includes progress on the platform front and on the people front as well. Now, more than ever, it’s essential for businesses to become customer-data savvy, and we are thrilled to be helping our clients and partners around the globe to realize the opportunities.”

The dunnhumby Customer Science Platform provides a unique mix of technology, software and consulting enabling businesses to increase revenue and profits by delivering exceptional experiences for their Customers – in-store, offline and online.