SHARCC Group acquires Touchstone Partners and Shoppercentric
- Shoppercentric
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
LONDON, 14th July 2026
Newly formed UK research company SHARCC Group has acquired a majority stake in Touchstone Partners & Shoppercentric, which provide shopper, consumer and experience research, strategic consultancy and data analytics services.
SHARCC is a holding company recently formed, with majority stakes in seven UK research agencies: Potentia Insight and its subsidiaries DataTree and SigDiff, its sports division Potentia Sports, together with independent agencies Pegasus Insight, data collection specialist InsightX Research Solutions and mystery guest agency Silent Customer. Each business retains its operational independence while benefiting from the wider expertise of the Group.
Touchstone Partners & Shoppercentric work with leading brands and retailers to help them understand customers, identify growth opportunities and make better commercial decisions through bespoke research and insight.
Touchstone Partners & Shoppercentric will continue to operate independently as part of SHARCC Group, with all employees remaining with the business. Jon Darby & Jamie Rayner will continue as Managing Directors of each business, ensuring continuity for clients, partners and employees. As with every business in the Group, both Touchstone Partners and Shoppercentric will maintain strict client confidentiality, with clear operational separation between businesses and their respective client work.
Ant Randle, Director at SHARCC Group, said: "We're delighted to welcome Touchstone Partners & Shoppercentric to SHARCC Group. Jon and Jamie have built an outstanding business with an excellent reputation, and they're a great fit for the Group. Their expertise complements our existing businesses perfectly and broadens what we can offer clients, while allowing Touchstone & Shoppercentric to continue operating with the independence and entrepreneurial spirit that has made it so successful."
Jon Darby, Managing Director at Touchstone Partners said: "We are entering an exciting new chapter for both Touchstone and Shoppercentric. Joining the SHARCC Group will create significant opportunities for the team, while enabling us to accelerate the development of the innovative products and services we are bringing to market. With access to a wider network of knowledge, capabilities and expertise, we will be even better positioned to provide our clients with truly integrated 360° insight and consultancy. We are incredibly excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to the next stage of our journey together.”
Jamie Rayner, Managing Director at Shoppercentric said: "We didn't want to lose what makes Touchstone and Shoppercentric work: our closeness with clients, our ability to adapt and to be entrepreneurial. SHARCC understands that which is why this felt very right. Jon and I have always believed in evolving with and for our clients, now we have more firepower to do it. We are delighted for our team to be part of a wider group."
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For media enquiries, please contact Sarah Condon - sarah@potentia-insight.co.uk
