Retail news round-up: Sainsbury's may merge with Morrisons, Stravarius to lauch its first menswear, and Mothercare appoints new HR director

Tesco-Booker tie-up to trigger supermarket merger

Sainsbury's and Morrisons may merge following the Tesco and Booker tie-up, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch, The Times reported.

The broker said that Sainsbury's is suitable for consolidation and its geographic area fits in with that of Morrisons and Asda.

Shore Capital analyst Clive Black said: “We are in real danger of being over-cynical here, but it is hard not to feel that this is a deal engineered by investment bankers rather than respective management or shareholders.”

Supermarkets are searching for growth opportunities and buying convenience supply chains is appealing to the retailers.

Stradivarius to introduce menswear collection

Stradivarius is set to launch its first menswear collection at London Oxford Street this week, Drapers reported.

The brand, owned by Inditex, will launch a menswear range initially at 57 Stradivarius stores globally, increasing to 109 by year-end.

The clothing range will be for men aged between 20 and 30 years.

The price of the collection will be the same as that of its womenswear collections, which offers T-shirts priced from £5.99 to £15.99 and dresses from £19.99 to £35.99.

Mothercare appoints new HR director

John Lewis’s director of personnel group and partnership services Kirsty Homer is set to become the new HR director of Mothercare, Drapers reported.

Homer has been working with John Lewis for the past 20 years.

She will join Mothercare on March 6.