German-owned discounter Lidl GB has appealed to the people of the UK to help it find hundreds of new sites, so it can hit its target of 1,000 stores by the end of 2023.
The group, which currently trades from 860 stores in Britain, on Thursday published a brochure detailing desired locations across the country where it is interested in acquiring sites for potential store developments.
Lidl GB, part of Germany's Schwarz retail group, said it wanted over 100 more stores in London and within the M25 alone, including at locations such as Greenwich, Stoke Newington, Woodford, Dulwich, Barnes and South Kensington.
Lidl GB and fellow German-owned discounter Aldi, which only sell in stores, lost share during the pandemic as more sales shifted online.
However, industry data has shown them recovering as COVID-19 restrictions ease.
'Potential Sites'
"We are calling on developers and landlords up and down the country to help find potential sites for us to build Lidl stores, which demonstrates the continued ambition we have to further expand our store portfolio across the nation," said Lidl GB CEO Christian Härtnagel.
Lidl GB has a £1.3 billion ($1.8 billion) investment plan for 2021 and 2022. So far this year it has opened 20 new UK stores and is targeting another 30.
Data from market researcher Kantar, published on Tuesday, showed Lidl's market share at 6.1% over the 12 weeks to 13 June, versus 5.8% in the same period last year.
Aldi's share at 8.2%, versus 7.5% a year earlier, matched its highest ever level.
New Store Highlights
All new stores will include Lidl’s bakery, offering freshly baked bread, biscuits and pastries, created by the discounter’s in-store bakers throughout the day.
New stores will also offer quality food at great value, install solar panels on the exterior for renewable energy and electric vehicle charging points.
Each new store will join Lidl’s food redistribution programme, Feed It Back, which sees surplus food donated to local communities, via food banks or partner charities, the retailer said.
