Lidl has announced its latest expansion plans which will see it aim to reach 1,100 stores in Britain by the end of 2025.
The German-owned discount supermarket said the new target, which builds on a previous goal to reach 1,000 sites by the end of 2023, would result in the creation of 4,000 jobs.
Lidl said the 100 extra sites across England, Scotland and Wales would feature solar panels and electric vehicle charging points.
The retailer currently has more than 880 stores plus 13 distribution centres in Britain, employing over 26,000 people.
It recently revealed an increase in wages which it said would make it the highest paying supermarket in the country from March 2022.
The expansion announcement came as Lidl GB published results for the year to 28 February showing that sales rose 12% to £7.7bn while pre-tax profits swung to £9.8m after a loss of £25.2m a year earlier.
It opened 55 stores during the period.
The company was boosted by additional sales during the pandemic when as an essential retailer it was allowed to stay open – and said this largely offset extra costs such as for PPE, extra cleaning, and taking on more workers for security measures and the shop floor.
Lidl said: “The pandemic has had a large influence on consumer behaviour patterns in the industry and the company has responded well to this challenge.”
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Source : skynews
