Tesco May Keep dunnhumby, Sell European Units Instead

UK supermarket Tesco is reportedly close to giving up on the sale of its customer data business dunnhumby, which has seen bidders withdraw and its potential price plummet in recent weeks. Instead it is said to be discussing the sale of its businesses in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland.

City sources told The Sunday Times (www.thesundaytimes.co.uk ) that the one remaining bidder for dunnhumby, WPP, is struggling to agree a price for the unit following uncertainty over its future contract with Tesco, and the end of its US joint venture with Kroger.

Sources suggested a price tag of around £3bn for the East and Central European businesses, 50 percent more than the cash-strapped retailer was said to be seeking at the height of the dunnhumby speculation.

Web sites: www.wpp.com and www.dunnhumby.com .