Discount grocery chain Lidl is embarking on an aggressive expansion plan with the launch of 19 new stores within the next two months. This rapid pace of store openings, averaging one every other day, will result in the creation of 640 new job opportunities.
As a German-owned retailer, Lidl has secured its position as the sixth largest supermarket in the UK, holding an 8.1% market share based on recent data from Worldpanel. Since establishing its first UK store in 1994, Lidl has steadily grown its presence to over 1,000 branches and operates 14 regional distribution centers nationwide, supporting a workforce of over 35,000 employees.
The new store locations span from Calne, Wiltshire, to Brough, Yorkshire, where customers can enjoy complimentary food samples and have the chance to win special prizes on opening days. Additionally, Lidl has earmarked £40 million for refurbishing more than 70 existing stores, with plans to upgrade facilities such as installing new checkouts and expanding freezer capacities.
Richard Taylor, Lidl GB’s chief real estate officer, expressed the company’s commitment to enhancing customer experiences and benefiting local communities through this substantial investment. Lidl aims to attract more shoppers across the country and increase its market share in the competitive grocery sector.
Following a successful holiday season, Lidl reported record-breaking Christmas sales, surpassing £1.1 billion with a 10% increase in sales compared to the previous year. Worldpanel data indicates that Lidl’s sales surged by 10.2% to £2.9 billion in the final quarter of the previous year, positioning the retailer in close competition with Morrisons, whose market share has dipped to 8.3%. Although Lidl trails behind Aldi, which holds a 10.5% market share, Aldi’s sales growth rate has slowed to 4.1% in the most recent 12-month period.
Despite Aldi’s recognition as the cheapest supermarket in 2025 by consumer watchdog Which?, Lidl closely follows as the second most affordable option. In December, the average cost of a list of 68 items at Aldi was £123.60, only 10p cheaper than Lidl, which tallied an average cost of £123.70 for both Lidl Plus members and non-members.
Lidl’s ongoing expansion efforts underscore its strategic approach to capturing a larger market share and solidifying its position within the competitive grocery landscape.