Lidl has announced plans to launch 50 new stores across the UK in the coming year, in addition to opening its inaugural pub, as part of its strategy to surpass Morrisons and become the fifth largest supermarket chain in the country.
The German retailer is currently in the process of constructing a pub in east Belfast, a move prompted by stringent local licensing regulations that limit the number of establishments permitted to sell alcohol. In Northern Ireland, supermarkets seeking to offer alcoholic beverages must obtain a license that has been relinquished by another business, such as a pub that has closed down. Furthermore, they must demonstrate that there is a shortage of licensed venues in the vicinity to satisfy public demand.
While Lidl did not meet the criteria for a traditional off-licence, it successfully qualified for a pub license due to the closure of two nearby bars in recent years. Given these unique circumstances, the pub, located in a separate building adjacent to the store, is expected to be an isolated case.
Lidl’s regional general manager, Gordon Cruikshanks, expressed excitement about the development, stating, “After a six-year planning process, we are pleased to announce the establishment of a brand-new pub and off-license next to our Dundonald store.” He informed the Spanish news agency EFE that the pub, which will accommodate around 60 patrons, is anticipated to open this summer, featuring a variety of beers, wines, and spirits from Lidl’s inventory, alongside other beverages to support local suppliers.
Lidl GB, which operates over 1,000 stores in the UK, has committed to investing more than £600 million in its expansion efforts, which will create nearly 2,000 jobs as the company enhances its warehouse and logistics infrastructure to support new locations. The new stores will be situated in areas such as Abbots Langley near Watford, Warrington in Cheshire, and Thornbury in Gloucestershire, all of which are set to open this summer.
This upcoming expansion marks a significant increase from the 40 new stores opened in the year leading to February 2026, with only one closure reported. Lidl GB does not anticipate any store closures in the coming year.
In the fiscal year leading to February 2025, Lidl added a net of 12 stores; this followed a year of just one addition as the company shifted its focus from expansion to enhancing existing locations. Lidl, alongside its competitor Aldi, which surpassed Morrisons in 2022 to become the fourth largest supermarket and is now closely competing with Asda for third place, has experienced rapid growth in the UK, benefiting from an increasing number of households seeking affordable options amid ongoing economic challenges.
Conversely, Tesco and Sainsbury’s, the UK’s largest and second-largest supermarket chains, have responded with loyalty programs and competitive pricing that rival Aldi.
Lidl is hosting an event this month that will welcome over 150 property partners and agents as part of its efforts to secure additional locations.
Recent market analyses indicate that Lidl has matched Morrisons with an 8.3% market share in the UK, achieving the fastest growth rate among traditional grocers with physical locations. According to Worldpanel by Numerator, only Ocado, the online grocery service, surpassed Lidl’s 9.6% growth in the three months ending March 22. In contrast, Morrisons experienced a mere 2.3% increase in sales during the same period, falling short of inflation rates.
For the year ending February 2025, Lidl GB reported sales growth of 8.3%, reaching £11.7 billion, with profits more than doubling to £156.8 million and a workforce expansion to 11,422 employees.
Ryan McDonnell, CEO of Lidl GB, remarked, “As we expand, we aim to make a positive impact in British communities… Our growth leads to the creation of high-quality jobs and provides British suppliers with the assurance they need to invest in the future.”
Kate Dearden, the minister for employment rights and consumer protection, emphasized the significance of such investments, stating, “This kind of commitment is precisely what we want to see from major employers—creating thousands of quality jobs that offer fair wages and enhance the living standards of communities nationwide.”
