Discount supermarket Lidl is accelerating its expansion with plans to open 19 new stores within the next two months, resulting in the creation of 640 new jobs. Lidl, a German-owned chain, has solidified its position as the sixth largest grocery retailer in the UK, boasting an 8.1% market share based on recent data from Worldpanel.
Since its inception in 1994, Lidl has established over 1,000 stores and 14 regional distribution centers across the UK, employing more than 35,000 individuals. The upcoming store openings will span locations from Calne, Wiltshire, to Brough, Yorkshire, offering shoppers the chance to enjoy complimentary food samples and win special prizes.
In addition to these new openings, Lidl has earmarked £40 million for refurbishing over 70 existing branches, enhancing customer experience with new tills and expanded freezer space. Richard Taylor, Lidl GB’s chief real estate officer, expressed the company’s commitment to customer satisfaction and community impact through this significant investment.
Following a successful holiday season, Lidl reported record Christmas turnover exceeding £1.1 billion, with a 10% increase in sales compared to the previous year. The uptick in shopper numbers, up 8% year-on-year, resulted in nearly 51 million customers visiting Lidl stores during the festive period.
Worldpanel data revealed that Lidl’s sales surged by 10.2% to £2.9 billion in the final quarter of last year, closing the gap on Morrisons, whose market share dipped to 8.3%. While Lidl still trails behind Aldi, with a market share of 10.5%, Aldi experienced a slower sales growth of 4.1% in the most recent 12-month period.
Despite its market position, Aldi was recently crowned the cheapest supermarket in 2025 by consumer advocate Which?, offering the most competitive prices for a basket of 68 items in December. Lidl closely followed as the second most affordable option, with prices just 10p higher on average compared to Aldi.