Discount supermarket giant Lidl has kicked off 2026 with a major nationwide expansion, announcing plans to open 19 new stores across Great Britain within the next eight weeks. The ambitious move forms part of a £40 million investment that also includes the modernisation of more than 70 existing shops.
West Midlands Welcomes Three New Locations
For shoppers in the West Midlands, the expansion brings three new local stores. The new Lidl outlets will be situated in Birmingham, Kingstanding; Hereford, Belmont Road; and Sutton High Street. These openings are set to extend the retailer's reach into new communities, with other new locations stretching from Calne in Wiltshire to Brough in Yorkshire.
To celebrate the launches, customers visiting on each store's opening day can enjoy complimentary food sampling and have the chance to win special Lidl prizes. This rapid growth reinforces Lidl's position as the UK's fastest-growing bricks and mortar retailer.
Multi-Million Pound Store Refurbishment Programme
Alongside the new openings, Lidl is committing a further £43 million to refurbish over 70 of its existing stores, from Dundee to the Isle of Wight. This investment aims to ensure a consistent, high-quality shopping experience nationwide.
The refurbishments will introduce a range of upgrades for customers, including:
- New till systems for faster service.
- Larger freezer sections to offer a greater product range.
- Energy-saving features like chillers using natural refrigerants.
- Smart lighting systems to reduce electricity consumption.
These eco-friendly improvements are designed to lower the stores' environmental impact and support Lidl GB's journey toward Net Zero emissions.
Driving Growth and Community Impact
Lidl's expansion underscores its significant role in the UK economy. The retailer now reaches over 60% of British households and contributed a substantial £14.5 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the British economy in the 2024 financial year.
Richard Taylor, Chief Real Estate Officer at Lidl GB, commented on the push: "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."
This dual strategy of opening new stores while significantly upgrading existing ones highlights Lidl's confident drive to capture a larger portion of the UK grocery market and deepen its roots in communities across the country.
