Lidl, the German supermarket chain, will open the doors of its first nine stores in the United States this June 15 in three states of the East coast. By the end of summer 2018 they plan to expand to 100 stores.
Stores will open in Kinston, NC; Greenville, NC; Sanford, NC; Rocky Mount, NC; Winston-Salem, NC; Spartanburg, SC; Greenville, SC; Virginia Beach, VA; and Hampton, VA. Another 11 stores are planned to open by the end of the summer, creating a total of 5,000 jobs, according to Lidl.
“Lidl is grocery shopping refreshed, retooled and rethought to make life better for all our customers. From our selection of sustainable products like our certified fresh and frozen seafood to top-quality wines from around the world available at market-beating prices, our team puts extra effort and attention into each product we put on our shelves. When customers shop at Lidl, they will experience less complexity, lower prices, better choices, and greater confidence,” said Brendan Proctor, President and CEO of Lidl US.
With an easy-to-shop layout, the 20,000-square-foot stores have only six aisles and a big emphasis on exclusive brands. About 90% of store products are private label, and feature prices up to 50% less than other grocers offer, according to the company.
Lidl to Offer Fresh Products at Low Cost
The stores will feature fresh bakery offerings, organic and gluten-free products, sustainably certified seafood, and a rotating selection of nonfood products known as “Lidl Surprises.” The selection will include fitness gear, small kitchen appliances, toys, and outdoor furniture, among other non-food items.
The USA Today reported that Lidl will be going up against fellow German chain Aldi, which opened its first American store in 1976 in Iowa and now has 1,600 stores in 35 states.
The German supermarket chain operates about 10,000 stores in 27 countries throughout Europe, offering customers fresh produce, meat, bakery items and a wide array of household products at the lowest possible prices.
Its U.S. headquarters was established in Arlington County, Virginia in June 2015. Since then, it has announced regional headquarters and distribution centers in Spotsylvania County, Virginia; Alamance County, North Carolina and Cecil County, Maryland.
Starting June 15, store hours will be 8 am to 9 pm, Monday through Sunday.