Lidl GB has announced five new store openings as the supermarket chain continues its standing as Britain's fastest-growing physical food retailer.
The new locations are opening simultaneously amid concerns over the UK retail sector and the long-term trend of store closures sweeping the country.
The mass opening represents a significant step forward in the discount supermarket's expansion plans and its pledge to offer quality products at competitive prices.
These new locations will generate as many as 160 employment opportunities, which the company describes as providing livelihoods rather than simply jobs to local communities.
Lidl opens five stores this week
|LIDL
The expansion continues a remarkable 31-month run during which Lidl has outpaced all other bricks-and-mortar competitors in growth terms.
Richard Taylor, the chief real estate officer at Lidl GB, outlined the company's ambitions when discussing the expansion earlier this year.
He shared: ""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."
Lidl plans to invest over £40million in modernisations | LidlLATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Rachel Reeves has aimed to cut inflation | GETTYThe five simultaneous openings follow the retailer's recent announcement that 19 new stores would launch within an eight-week period, underscoring the pace of its expansion drive.
Here is a full list of Lidl store openings this week on February 19:
- Chester, Caldy Valley Road
- Calne, Oxford Road
- Dereham, Yaxham Road
- Havant, Purbrook Way
- London, Stamford Hill.
High streets have been hit by a wave of closures since the pandemic | PAAccording to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), January saw UK headline inflation drop to three per cent, marking its lowest point in ten months and offering some respite for both businesses and shoppers.
However, the decline in price growth does not translate to reduced costs for retailers. Years of accumulated price rises have left household budgets stretched, with consumers maintaining a cautious, value-focused approach to spending.
Business rates continue to burden physical retailers particularly heavily. With sales volumes remaining subdued and price growth moderating, property-based taxes become increasingly difficult to absorb through revenue gains.
Andrew Phillips, managing director of V12 Retail Finance Limited, cautioned against overstating the benefits of falling inflation for households.
He said: "While the rate of increase has slowed, the cost of living remains significantly higher than just a few years ago, with essentials like food, services, and housing still rising faster than the headline rate."
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