Discounter Lidl opened its first ten stores in the US today, with outlets in Kinston, Greenville, Sanford, Wilson and Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Spartanburg and Greenville, South Carolina; and Virginia Beach and Hampton, Virginia, opening to the public at 8am local time (2pm CET).
According to local observers, there were 'lines around the block' at most stores, while others reported full car parks even before the stores had opened.
Courtesy of the medium of social media, here's a first look at the retailer's first stores Stateside. We will be posting more snapshots as the day progresses, keep an eye on this page for updates.
Queues into the car park at @LidlUS #Spartanburg, SC store - full house! #Lidl #Retail Pic courtesy @PlannedGrocery https://t.co/ZqdO0PVVVH pic.twitter.com/7fgY6mPUJi
— European Supermarket Magazine (@esm_magazine) June 15, 2017
Non-food 'Surprises' on offer at the new @LidlUS #Spartanburg, SC store #Lidl #Retail Pic courtesy @PlannedGrocery https://t.co/inpVASodD2 pic.twitter.com/L4vxChDKRs
— European Supermarket Magazine (@esm_magazine) June 15, 2017
A peak inside the Greenville store before the aisles are packed with customers! @LidlUS #RethinkGrocery pic.twitter.com/4d3XjwJBw1
— Liz Bateson (@LizBatesonTV) June 15, 2017
The red signs in @LidlUS indicate a sale. Today (opening day) they have $.89 pineapples and $.39 butter croissants. @WFMY pic.twitter.com/SDgOhTxtPT
— Maddie Gardner (@Maddie_Gardner) June 15, 2017
Even the pineapples are smiling at the @LidlUS Spartanburg, SC store! #Lidl #Retail Pic courtesy @PlannedGrocery https://t.co/inpVASodD2 pic.twitter.com/HMN3asdhMp
— European Supermarket Magazine (@esm_magazine) June 15, 2017
That's an inflatable broccoli and grocery bag, folk. #lidl grand opening in Virginia Beach pic.twitter.com/I30UCiNsAc
— Kimberly Pierceall (@pierceall) June 15, 2017
Here's a quick tour of the new Lidl store in @CityofWS . It opens at 8am. @myfox8 pic.twitter.com/FChrH63nMd
— Nick Sturdivant (@N_SturdivantTV) June 15, 2017
Line wrapped around the building early this morning at the #LIDL @WilsonNC store! pic.twitter.com/6GzQAWoucx
— Timmons Group (@timmonsgroup) June 15, 2017
It's here! The popular European grocery store @LidlUS is opening in Hampton Roads! @WTKR3 https://t.co/Ox7YXmdunU pic.twitter.com/QoeCDVvEe6
— Makenzie Walter (@MakenzieWalter) June 15, 2017
So much excitement for the new @LidlUS on the west side of Spartanburg. Are you checking out the new stores in the Upstate? pic.twitter.com/m9fQVfy5iB
— Mike McCormick (@MikeMcCWYFF) June 15, 2017
Today's launches are the first salvo in an opening drive that will see Lidl open around 100 stores between now and next summer, and as many as 500 over the next five years.
For more information on the openings, visit the ESM website.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
