dunnhumby network alliance launches with Tesco, B&Q, John Lewis and Waitrose taking part in pilots
dunnhumby has announced the introduction of the dunnhumby network alliance, which is designed to address retail media fragmentation.
At a time when many retail media networks exist in siloed ecosystems, this is pitched as delivering a coherent, seamless, efficient, and user-friendly solution that can rapidly unlock and result in growth for all. It gives brands and agencies a single route to activate campaigns across multiple retailers without rebuilding plans and campaign workflows across the network, with the aim of improving consistency of execution and reducing operational complexity.
It also enables retailers to access broader demand and deliver inventory in a more scalable way, while opening retail media budgets to publishers through retailer data-enabled audiences. This will be delivered through a single solution, built in partnership with Kevel.
Tesco, B&Q (owned by Kingfisher), John Lewis and Waitrose are exploring partnership opportunities through a series of pilots with more retailers set to join. These pilots, starting this summer, will take place across a variety of categories including household and DIY products, health and beauty, and grocery with the aim of enabling retailers, brands and agencies to plan, activate and measure marketing investment across multiple retailers and media owners.
Josh Bottomley, CEO, dunnhumby, says: “Brands are demanding scale, consistency and transparency, but fragmentation has held the market back. This groundbreaking alliance is made possible through dunnhumby’s unique position in the market, bringing the industry together under a shared framework, making it easier for brands to activate, measure and grow through retail media.”
Initially, dunnhumby network alliance will focus on existing retailer audiences and inventory with the ambition to expand into richer audiences and inventory opportunities.
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards
Retail media will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.
The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.
Check out our 2025 winners here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.
