Lidl slows down store openings to focus on growing warehouse capacity

Lidl has said it is to scale back its store openings and instead focus on growing warehouse capacity instead.

According to The Grocer, the discount grocer averages around 50 new store openings a year, with 54 being opened last year, in a bid to hit its target of  having 1,100 by the end of 2025.

However, it now aims to open just 25 stores this year.

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“In 2023, we are opening 25 stores, which equates to one a fortnight,” a Lidl GB spokeswoman told The Grocer.

“Whilst this is a slowing on store openings, we are focusing on investing heavily in our warehouse capacity: opening Luton, completing extension works on our Bridgend and Belvedere sites, and looking for a new site for the south.”

The slowdown comes despite the cost-of-living crisis continues driving shoppers from traditional supermarkets to both Lidl and Aldi.

This comes as this morning, Lidl revealed it has gained nearly £11 million in switching gains from M&S, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s in the past month, an increase of over £10 million year on year.

According to the discount grocer, over the past year, it has seen a total of £120 million coming from households choosing to shop at the company instead of traditional supermarkets.