Lidl has said it will open 50 new stores across the UK in the year ahead as part of a broader expansion drive worth more than £600m.
The German-owned supermarket chain said the plans are designed to support growth in Britain and strengthen its position in the market, with the retailer aiming to overtake Morrisons and become the country’s fifth largest supermarket chain.
The company, which already has more than 1,000 stores in the UK, said the investment will also go into expanding its warehouse and logistics network. That infrastructure is expected to support the opening of the new shops and help supply the company’s growing estate.
Lidl said the expansion would create almost 2,000 jobs. The hiring is likely to cover a range of roles connected with both the new stores and the wider distribution network needed to serve them.
The announcement underlines the pace of Lidl’s growth in the UK market, where it has steadily increased its presence in recent years. With the latest round of openings, the retailer is seeking to build on that momentum and close the gap on its larger rivals.
While the company did not provide further detail in the source item on where the new stores will be located or exactly when they will open, its plan marks one of its largest near-term expansion commitments in Britain.
The move comes as competition among UK supermarkets remains intense, with major chains continuing to invest in stores, supply chains and customer reach. For Lidl, the new investment signals continued confidence in demand for discount grocery shopping and in the retailer’s ability to grow further across the country.
