Who We Are

Welcome to Lidl. We believe that high-quality products should not have to come with high prices. In our stores, you'll find locally sourced products, fresh meat and seafood, imported cheeses, European delicacies, weekly special finds, and much more—all at incredibly low prices. Here's how we do it:

Our product selection is carefully curated. Instead of offering countless brands in every category, we work closely with our suppliers to source high-quality products at competitive prices.

We know your time is valuable. That's why every store is designed with an intuitive layout to provide a smooth and convenient shopping experience.

Our private-label products are the result of carefully selected sourcing. We work with farmers as well as local and regional suppliers to provide fresh products of exceptional quality. At the same time, it wouldn't be Lidl without an outstanding international selection. From authentic Greek delicacies to genuine Spanish olives, you'll always find imported specialties in our stores.

Approximately 80% of our products are private-label items, all of which undergo rigorous taste, quality, and sensory evaluations.

We offer more than just groceries. Every Wednesday, you'll discover new surprises in our stores. From comfortable sportswear to cast-iron cookware and much more, there's always something new waiting for you.

We keep our prices low by minimizing overhead costs and eliminating unnecessary expenses. For example, our "bring your own bag" policy means the cost of shopping bags is not included in the price of our products, while also helping to protect the environment—an important value for our company. Likewise, instead of stocking shelves item by item, products are often displayed directly in the cartons in which they are delivered, saving both time and labor.

A History of More Than Four Decades

In 1973, the first modern Lidl store opened in Ludwigshafen, Germany. With just three employees and approximately 500 products, this small store marked the humble beginning of our global expansion. We began opening stores outside Germany in the 1990s, and within just a few years, we had established a presence throughout Europe.

Today, we operate in 31 countries and employ more than 360,000 people worldwide. No matter how large we become, our mission remains the same: to provide our customers with high-quality groceries, fresh meat, bakery products, household goods, and much more at incredibly low prices. Because everyone deserves access to great food.

In June 2015, we opened our U.S. headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. Today, our award-winning products are available in more than 180 Lidl stores across the East Coast.

Some of Our Milestones Over the Years

1970s

Our first Lidl store opened in Germany in 1973 with three employees and approximately 500 products. By 1979, we had opened six additional stores, expanding our network to a total of 30 locations.

1980s

We opened 300 stores across Germany. On average, each store employed seven people and offered approximately 900 products.

1990s

We began expanding beyond Germany, starting with France, and opened our first store in the United Kingdom in 1994.

2000s

We established ourselves as a leading retail company in the United Kingdom.

2017

Lidl opened its first stores in the United States.

Principles and Values

Customer satisfaction is our highest priority.

Our incredibly low prices define our position in the marketplace.

Our continued growth is driven by the expansion and continuous improvement of our stores. Success is never taken for granted.

As an efficient company, we operate according to clearly defined processes and procedures.

In our daily operations, we are committed to complying with all applicable laws as well as our internal policies.

We are a responsible company economically, socially, and environmentally, continuously seeking greener solutions that support farmers and reduce our environmental impact.

Fairness toward all of our employees is essential.

We respect and support one another.

We honor our commitments in an environment built on trust. Recognition, appreciation, and constructive feedback define our daily work. We foster an environment that encourages leadership development to ensure long-term success.