Now Google eyes up DunnHumby bid

As if Google was not powerful enough, its rivals could be outflanked again after it emerged the technology giant has become the latest business to court Dunnhumby, the customer analytics unit behind Tesco’s Clubcard.
With new suitors seemingly coming out of the woodwork on a daily basis, the one-time favourite to land the deal – Sir Martin Sorrell’s WPP – now faces even stiffer competition.
According to Sky News, Google is in talks with private equity firm Permira about making a combined offer for DunnHumby.
But as far as Tesco bosses as concerned, it is a case of the more the merrier, as the supermarket giant is hoping to start a bidding war for the business. This is even more pressing after the value of DunnHumby was slashed in half – from £2bn to £1bn – following the end of its US partnership with retailer Kroger.
Ironically, Tesco needed to pull out of the joint venture because it would have limited its potential to work with other companies but in the short-term it will seriously hit revenues.
As well as the joint Google and Permira venture, the full line up of businesses courting DunnHumby includes: Hellman & Friedman, WPP, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Advent International, General Atlantic Partners, KKR, Silver Lake Partners and Experian.