Sainsbury’s and Morrisons ‘held talks this year’ on multibillion-pound merger

Had the two supermarkets agreed a deal it could have let to the biggest shake-up in UK supermarkets in decades. Composite: Alamy

Sainsbury’s held merger talks with rival Morrisons this year to discuss a multibillion-pound deal that would have been the biggest shake-up for UK supermarkets in decades, according to reports.

The two companies held exploratory negotiations, according to the Financial Times and Sky. It is believed they are no longer in live discussions.