Discount supermarket chain Lidl is accelerating its expansion efforts with plans to open 19 new stores over the next two months, creating 640 job opportunities. Lidl, a German-owned retailer, has solidified its position as the sixth largest grocery chain in the UK, boasting an 8.1% market share, as reported by Worldpanel data.
Since its inception in 1994, Lidl has grown its presence to over 1,000 branches and 14 regional distribution centers nationwide, providing employment to over 35,000 individuals. The new store openings will span from Calne, Wiltshire, to Brough, Yorkshire, offering shoppers complimentary food samples and exciting prizes on opening days.
In addition to expanding its footprint, Lidl has announced a £40 million investment to revamp more than 70 existing stores, enhancing customer experiences with new checkout counters and expanded freezer sections. Richard Taylor, Lidl GB’s chief real estate officer, expressed the company’s commitment to customer satisfaction and community impact through these enhancements.
Following a successful holiday season, Lidl reported record-breaking turnover surpassing £1.1 billion, with a 10% increase in sales compared to the previous year. The retailer welcomed nearly 51 million customers during the festive period, marking an 8% rise in shopper numbers year-on-year.
Worldpanel data reveals that Lidl experienced a sales surge of 10.2% to reach £2.9 billion in the final quarter of last year, narrowing the gap with supermarket chain Morrisons whose market share slipped to 8.3%. While Lidl’s market share is lower than rival Aldi’s 10.5%, Aldi’s sales growth slowed to 4.1% in the most recent 12-month period.
Aldi was recently recognized as the cheapest supermarket in 2025 by consumer watchdog Which?, offering the most affordable prices for a basket of 68 items in December. Lidl closely followed as the second most economical option, with just a 10p difference in the average cost compared to Aldi.
In a strategic move to attract more customers and increase market share, Lidl remains focused on its expansion plans and continuous improvement initiatives to uphold its reputation as a leading retailer in the UK.