Lidl, a retailer with 10,000 stores in 27 countries throughout Europe, has announced it will open its first stores in 20 locations in the United States on June 15. The first stores will open in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. By next summer, Lidl plans to open up to 100 stores across the East Coast, creating a total of 5,000 U.S. jobs.
Lidl will offer a simple and efficient approach to grocery shopping, claiming that shoppers will be able to get top quality goods and groceries at up to 50% less than other U.S. supermarkets. In addition, the newly built 20,000-sq-ft stores will feature only six aisles, a bakery at the entrance, and a variety of organic, gluten-free, and sustainable items. About 90% of the groceries available at Lidl will be exclusive brand products.
“We are excited to open our first stores in the United States in a few short weeks,” said Brendan Proctor, president and CEO of Lidl US. “Lidl is grocery shopping refreshed, retooled, and rethought to make life better for all our customers … When customers shop at Lidl, they will experience less complexity, lower prices, better choices, and greater confidence.”