Tesco is expected to decide this week whether to sell its stake in data business Dunnhumby as all but one bidder remains, according to reports.
Sir Martin Sorrell’s WPP Group is understood to be the only bidder left for the unit, according to Sky News sources.
A number of private equity bidders are believed to have withdrawn from the race for Dunnhumby over difficulties with securing financing from banks.
Dunnhumby’s new owner faces having to secure another agreement with the company after Tesco struck a five-year deal with the business. It means new owners would have to secure a new deal in 2020.
The report suggested that WPP could yet agree a partnership arrangement with Tesco, instead of an outright acquisition.
Tesco boss Dave Lewis is overseeing a wide-ranging portfolio review of the grocer’s non-core assets after the supermarket giant reported its biggest ever statutory loss of £6.38bn in April.
Earlier this month Tesco sold its South Korean business, Homeplus, for £4.2bn.
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