Discount supermarket Lidl is accelerating its growth strategy with plans to launch 19 new stores within the next two months. This rapid expansion, averaging a store opening every day, will result in the creation of 640 new jobs.
As a German-owned chain, Lidl has established itself as the sixth largest grocery retailer in the UK, holding an 8.1% market share according to recent data from Worldpanel. Since its inception in 1994, Lidl has expanded to operate over 1,000 stores and 14 distribution centers nationwide, employing a workforce of more than 35,000 individuals.
The upcoming store openings will span across various locations from Calne, Wiltshire, to Brough, Yorkshire. Customers visiting on opening days can enjoy complimentary food samples and have the chance to win special prizes.
In addition to the new store openings, Lidl has announced a £40 million investment to renovate over 70 existing branches, incorporating upgrades such as new checkout counters and larger freezer units.
Richard Taylor, the Chief Real Estate Officer at Lidl GB, expressed enthusiasm about the company’s investment plans, emphasizing their dedication to enhancing customer experiences and making a positive impact on local communities. This initiative aims to attract more shoppers nationwide and increase Lidl’s market share.
Following a successful holiday season, Lidl reported record-breaking Christmas sales, surpassing £1.1 billion and achieving a 10% sales growth compared to the previous year. The chain welcomed 8% more shoppers, with nearly 51 million customers visiting its stores, a significant increase from the previous year.
Worldpanel data indicates that Lidl experienced a sales surge of 10.2% to reach £2.9 billion in the final quarter of last year. This growth has propelled Lidl to closely compete with Morrisons, whose market share has slightly declined to 8.3%. Although Aldi maintains a higher market share at 10.5%, its sales growth has slowed to 4.1% in the most recent 12-month period.
While Aldi was recognized as the most affordable supermarket in 2025 by Which?, Lidl closely followed as the second cheapest option. In December, the average cost of a shopping list at Aldi was £123.60, with Lidl’s average cost only 10p higher at £123.70 for both Lidl Plus members and non-members.