The acquisition comes as advertising holding companies compete to help brands boost sales online and in stores.

Publicis Groupe is set to acquire Mars United Commerce, the world’s largest independent commerce marketing company.

As holding companies invest millions in building and acquiring complex AI tools, Publicis’s acquisition of long-established shopper marketing specialist Mars United Commerce makes ‘perfect sense,’ says analyst.

Publicis Groupe, which is looking increasingly like a giant consultancy with a creative and media arm, has bought 50-year old Mars United Commerce, claimed to be the world's largest independent commerce company.

Publicis Groupe today announces the acquisition of Mars United Commerce, an independent commerce marketing company. With over 1,000 employees based in 14 hubs worldwide, Mars helps marketeers make their products consumers’ top choice in online and offline shopper ecosystems.

Publicis Groupe will combine the benefits of Epsilon and Profitero, with Mars United’s proprietary data on shopper behaviour.

Publicis Groupe has acquired one of the largest independent commerce marketing companies, Mars United Commerce, for an undisclosed fee. Mars United Commerce helps guide marketers reach consumers in online and offline shopper ecosystems with solutions in shopper conversion,

Publicis Groupe has announced the acquisition of independent commerce marketing company Mars United Commerce. The collaboration of Publicis Groupe and Mars will allow clients to influence the complete commerce journey for billions of global shoppers.