Discount supermarket chain Lidl has announced an aggressive expansion drive, planning to open 19 new stores across Great Britain in just eight weeks at the start of 2026.
A Store Every Other Day
The ambitious rollout equates to launching a new branch roughly every other day, a move set to create 640 new jobs nationwide. This rapid expansion underscores the German retailer's determination to grow its footprint and capture a larger slice of the UK grocery market.
Lidl, which opened its first UK store in 1994, now operates over 1,000 branches and 14 regional distribution centres across the country, employing more than 35,000 people. The new locations span from Calne in Wiltshire to Brough in Yorkshire, with openings also scheduled for areas including Basildon, Birmingham, Chester, Hereford, London, and Reading.
£40 Million Investment and Market Ambitions
Alongside the new stores, Lidl is pumping £40 million into refurbishing more than 70 existing branches. This investment will fund upgrades like new till systems and larger freezer units to enhance the customer experience.
Richard Taylor, Lidl GB's chief real estate officer, stated: "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."
The push comes after what Lidl called a record Christmas in 2025, with turnover exceeding £1.1 billion and sales up 10% year-on-year. Nearly 51 million customers visited its stores during the period.
Closing the Gap on Rivals
According to the latest data from Worldpanel, Lidl's sales surged by 10.2% to £2.9 billion in the final 12 weeks of last year. Its market share now stands at 8.1%, putting it hot on the heels of the UK's fourth-largest supermarket, Morrisons, which has seen its share slip to 8.3%.
While Lidl is narrowing the gap with Morrisons, it still trails behind fellow discounter Aldi, which holds a 10.5% market share. However, Aldi's sales growth has recently slowed to 4.1%, potentially giving Lidl an opportunity to gain ground. In a separate price survey, Aldi was named the cheapest supermarket in December 2025 by Which?, with Lidl a close second, just 10p more expensive on a typical basket.
Shoppers visiting the new stores on their opening days can expect complimentary food sampling and opportunities to win special prizes, as Lidl aims to make a splash in each new community.
