Sainsbury’s ended reported merger talks with Morrisons

Sainsbury’s ended preliminary discussions with Morrisons over a potential multibillion-pound merger in February 2026, and the two UK supermarket groups are not in active talks, according to an account based on people familiar with the matter. Both companies declined to comment on the reported discussions. The discussions reportedly began in November 2025. The account said Sainsbury’s walked away in February, but did not explain why. The companies’ silence means the reported talks and their conclusion have not been confirmed in on-record statements by either group. A possibility that negotiations could restart was mentioned in one account, but no renewed discussions have been reported. A combination would unite two of the UK’s largest grocers. Worldpanel figures cited in reports put Sainsbury’s share of the UK grocery market at 15.2% and Morrisons’ at 8.4%, which would amount to a combined 23.6%. The figures are attributed to market research data, and the reports do not specify a common measurement date. Any merger would face scrutiny from the Competition and Markets Authority, the UK competition regulator.