M&S announces Starcount partnership

Data science venture, Starcount, is to partner with Marks and Spencer as part of the struggling retailer's five-year transformation plan. The aim of the tie up is to help enhance customer understanding and insight through personalisation of M&S’ loyalty and CRM programmes including Sparks Card, which currently has over six million members.

Starcount is headed up by Dunnhumby founders, Edwina Dunn and Clive Humby, who worked on Tesco Clubcard. Dunn says: “We are delighted to be working with M&S and partnering with them on predicting their customers’ wants and needs. Starcount’s expertise is the science of purchase and intent, understanding the ‘why’ behind M&S customer purchases to help deliver growth, profitability as well as a seamless customer experience.”

Rob Weston who was appointed Marketing Director, Brand & Customer as part of the restructure, comments: “I am really looking forward to working with Starcount in my new role. Sparks plays a huge part in helping with our transformation and having the best partners will enable us to focus on achieving a seamless experience for our customers.”

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