dunnhumby is continuing its programme of diversification with the creation of a new division that plans to construct the biggest prospect database in the UK. The data consultancy's data services group currently has 11 sources making up the Crucible database - holding information such as lifestyle, wealth and attitudes - but that is set to be further expanded with the appointment of James Hanscomb as managing director.

· Crucible database is exhaustive - and secret· Government bodies are tapped for information Tesco is quietly building a profile of you, along with every individual in the country - a map of personality, travel habits, shopping preferences and even how charitable and eco-friendly you are.

Posted on September 20th, 2010 by Sallie Burnett One of the world's most successful loyalty programs has a home across the pond, where Tesco PLC - the world's third-largest retailer - is celebrating the 15th anniversary of its ubiquitous Clubcard. The U.K.

Feb 14, 2011 4:24 PM, By SN STAFF BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Wal-Mart Stores here on Monday said that it will launch a global consumer insights team headed by Cindy Davis, the former executive vice president of its Sam's Club division. Davis on Monday was named to the newly created position of executive vice president of global consumer insights.

On 14 February 2011, Wal-Mart Stores announced that it has established a Global Consumer Insights division to help Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club identify consumer trends, assess the needs of its customers in various global markets and create analytical tools to support business decisions.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Kosmix, underscoring its commitment to social and mobile commerce. Kosmix, based in Mountain View, Calif., has developed a social media technology platform that filters and organizes content in social networks to connect people with real-time information that matters to them.

Eric Schmidt famously observed that every two days now, we create as much data as we did from the dawn of civilization until 2003. A lot of the new data is not locked away in enterprise databases, but is freely available to the world in the form of social media: status updates, tweets, blogs, and videos.

By Scott Kirsner, Globe Columnist BzzAgent created a network of 800,000 agents who test new products and services - and then "buzz" about them to others, both online and off. The company has 60 full-time employees, and it raised about $14 million from local venture capital firms General Catalyst and Flybridge, as well as angel investors Shikhar Ghosh and Guli Arshad.