Collapsed clothing retail brands Marcs and David Lawrence in Australia are set to close 20% of stores in order to cut costs.

A total of nine David Lawrence and four Marcs outlets are to be closed this month, resulting in 20 job losses.

Redundancy may be offered for 50 employees or they may be moved to other stores.

The closures follow the collapse of the brands' parent company M Webster Holdings, which appointed Geoffrey Reidy and Andrew Barnden as administrators earlier this month.

"We have a responsibility to all staff and all creditors of the business to make it more attractive to any purchaser and reduce short-term trading losses."

Geoffrey Reidy said: "Whilst closing stores is always a difficult decision, we have a responsibility to all staff and all creditors of the business to make it more attractive to any purchaser and reduce short-term trading losses."

The administrators are now on look out for buyers.

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A total of 52 standalone Marcs and David Lawrence stores, 11 outlet stores and 140 concessions operate in Australia and New Zealand.

Expected to close next week, most of the stores are located in suburban and regional shopping centres.

Expressions of interest for both brands are due by 22 February.

David Lawrence was acquired by Webster from Truworth in 2000, while the womenswear and menswear label Marcs was purchased from retailer Oroton in 2006.