Custom ML model in GCP generated a boost in targeted sales.
Pythian built a machine learning model for Schnucks that turned shopper data into personalized offers and real sales growth.
Schnucks wanted to capitalize on their customer and purchasing data to improve decision-making, but lacked structured data governance and in-house predictive analytics capabilities. To establish quick wins, they engaged Pythian as their trusted Google Cloud Managed Services provider to launch a 12-week proof of concept. Pythian built a custom machine learning model on Google Cloud Platform to deliver personalized store brand (which Schnucks refers to as “Own Brands") product recommendations through the Schnucks Rewards app. This initiative successfully drove higher store visit frequency, boosted Own Brands sales, and reactivated 1,200 lapsed customers.
From day one, Pythian was an extension of my team. They weren’t a third-party; they were a group of teammates just as intent on project success as the Schnucks employees.”
Tom Henry
Chief Data & Deputy CIO Schnucks
1200
Lapsed customers reactivated
10%
Increase in center store sales
+$5
In Own Brand sales per basket
Ready to transform your customer data into measurable business growth?
Disorganized data and analytics gaps prevented capitalizing on customer insights for marketing.
Pythian helped Schnucks jumpstart their analytics effort with a custom ML model that targeted loyalty members with highly personalized product promotions.
We have not come across a tool that optimizes marketing spend as well as Pythian’s recommendation engine did. It’s a great return on investment for Schnucks.”
Tom Henry
Chief Data & Deputy CIO, Schnucks
Unstructured customer data hindered sales efforts
Schnucks possessed vast amounts of customer purchasing history but lacked the formal data inventory, segmentation, and governance protocols required to make the data actionable for analytics.
Internal teams lacked specialized ML capabilities
The internal Data & Analytics team needed specialized outside data science expertise to build advanced predictive models and establish an optimal long-term hiring roadmap.
Data initiatives needed rapid proof of business value
Leadership needed a quick, measurable win to demonstrate the commercial potential of their data and build internal support for ongoing analytics investments.
Store-brand products struggled against name brands.
Schnucks' high-value Own Brand items frequently got lost among national brands due to a lack of personalized customer engagement and awareness.
Pythian organized and structured customer data to get it ready for cloud analytics.
The team worked right alongside Schnucks to catalog, clean up, and segment years of shopping history and loyalty program data. By setting up clear data governance rules and connecting Google Cloud tools like BigQuery, they turned raw transaction logs into a reliable foundation for everyday analytics.
Pythian built a custom recommendation engine to boost sales for Own Brand products.
Pythian’s Data Scientists designed an algorithmic machine learning model using Vertex AI and custom scripts to predict the likelihood that a shopper will buy certain products, based on their individual shopping history. These predictive insights automatically identified specific Own Brand products to recommend to individual Schnucks Rewards loyalty members.
Predictive ML insights enabled successful targeted loyalty campaigns.
By analyzing customer transaction histories with the Google Cloud machine learning tool, Pythian helped Schnucks power targeted marketing campaigns. Delivering personalized offers and value-based coupons through the Schnucks Rewards app successfully reactivated 1,200 lapsed shoppers—with many visiting the store three or more times—while ensuring Schnucks got the highest possible return on its marketing spend.
Data experts worked side-by-side with internal teams to build long-term analytics workflows.
Throughout the 12-week pilot, Pythian stress-tested systems and taught the Schnucks team how to get the most out of cloud analytics. This hands-on collaboration helped leadership see exactly what roles and skills are necessary to upskill the in-house analytics team.
Pythian deployed a flexible Google Cloud platform that eliminated on-premise hardware complexity.
Launching in GCP gave Schnucks instant, scalable access to advanced big data tools without the burden of maintaining complex local environments. Pythian managed their evolving architecture—deploying Anthos GKE, Apigee Hybrid, and proactive monitoring dashboards—which accelerated Schnucks' tech roadmap and closed the gap with larger retail competitors.
Unlock advanced analytics to fuel high-converting marketing campaigns.
Pythian is a proud Google Cloud Premier Partner
Lean on our deep expertise and 25+ years of data heritage.
Our expertise spans the full Google ecosystem, helping customers harness the power of scalable cloud infrastructure, data analytics, and modern AI modelling to drive innovation. We combine world-class technical skills with a customer-centric approach to accelerate digital transformation and maximize the value of your Google investment.
.webp?width=917&height=621&name=Pythians%20Google%20Premier%20Partner%20Badge%20(1).webp)
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}