Lidl announces new stores in South and East, creating hundreds of jobs

Discount retailer Lidl is ramping up its expansion by opening 19 new stores across the UK within the next eight weeks, creating up to 640 jobs.

New locations include Basildon in Essex, Dereham in Norfolk, Reading in Berkshire, and Tring in Hertfordshire, as well as other areas nationwide.

These openings follow the milestone of Lidl launching its 1,000th store last year and add to its plans for approximately 40 new stores by the end of February 2024.

As part of its expansion, Lidl is also investing £43 million to upgrade over 70 of its existing shops across the nation.

These upgrades include new tills, larger freezers to stock more products, and energy-saving features such as natural refrigerant chillers and smart lighting systems aimed at reducing electricity use.

Richard Taylor, Lidl UK's chief real estate officer, said the plans demonstrate their commitment to customer experience and serving communities, stating:

"We're starting the new year as we mean to go on, with a major investment that reinforces our commitment to delivering the best experience for customers and creating a positive impact for the communities we serve.

"With this push, we're set on winning more shoppers across the nation and claiming an even bigger share of the market."

According to market analysts at Worldpanel, Lidl is currently Britain’s sixth-largest grocery chain and has made significant market share gains recently.

Experts predict Lidl could take over Morrisons in fifth place if this momentum continues.

This follows Lidl reporting a strong Christmas trading period, with sales increasing by 10%, reaching £1.1 billion in the four weeks leading to Christmas Eve.

Below are the selected upcoming store locations in the south and east region over the next eight weeks:

• Basildon, Laindon, Essex

• Dereham, Norfolk

• Reading, Tilehurst, Berkshire

• Tring, Hertfordshire

Additional stores will open in areas such as Birmingham, Chester, and Greater London.

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