The discounter plans to expand its store network and build a new €80m distribution centre.

New 54,000 sq m distribution centre

Lidl is set to roll out its largest planned project in the country, with planning permission now secured for a new distribution centre. Building work for the 54,000 sq m facility in Newbridge, Co Kildare, is set to commence in April.

Since entering the country in 2000, Lidl has transformed the Irish grocery market and the existing Newbridge DC has been central to its success.

Lidl’s store expansion in Ireland

The new DC will be essential to support the retailer’s ambitious expansion plans in Ireland. It currently has 150 stores across the country, but plans to expand its estate to 200 by 2023.

New stores are to be rolled out include Grangegorman, Dublin; Dunshaughlin, Co Meath; Santry, Dublin; and Sligo. Existing stores in Fortunestown, Co Dublin, and Castlerea, Co Roscommon will also be rebuilt. In addition, a number of other proposed stores are still going through the planning system.

Lidl UK has announced plans to build a major new distribution centre to supply its London stores.

Expansion in the capital

To support its growth in London, Lidl is to build a new distribution centre in Luton, Bedfordshire. The facility will serve the discounter’s London stores, including five new locations inside the M25: Hornchurch, Rosehill, Shepherd's Bush, South Ruislip and Walthamstow.

1 million sq ft facility

Lidl has exchanged contacts for a 58-acre site in Luton, on which it plans to build a 1 million square foot warehouse. The facility will be the discounter’s largest in the UK, and its forth DC for Greater London, creating 1000 new jobs.

It marks a significant step in Lid’s UK expansion– it opened two regional DCs in Exeter and Wednesbury in 2017, and is planning a further three in Doncaster, Bolton and Peterborough.

Ambitious expansion plans

Commenting on the announcement, Ingo Fischer, Lidl’s board director for expansion and development in the UK, said: “As more London households choose to shop at Lidl we are committed to the continued investment in our operations and infrastructure to support our growth.

“With five new stores opening in the next two months alone, and further store expansion and development plans in place for the Greater London area across the new financial year and beyond, this new warehouse is vital in supporting our ambitious expansion plans in and around the M25.”

Lidl UK has opened a new distribution centre in Exeter, ahead of the busy festive season.

Distributing 1.5 million mince pies

The new facility has opened just in time for Lidl’s busiest time of year. In the week leading up to Christmas day, it will distribute 1.5 million mince pies, 40,000 turkeys and 100,000 packs of Brussels sprouts.

£55m project

The distribution centre, which is located at Exeter Gateway business park, is Lidl’s 12th in the UK and will serve over 50 stores in the South West.

Strong growth

Mark Henry, regional director at Lidl, commented: “The South West is an important region for Lidl and it’s an area where we’ve experienced particularly strong growth. We remain committed to creating high-quality jobs for the communities we serve and this new centre gives us another great opportunity to do just that.”