LIDL

Lidl is a German global discount supermarket chain and a core brand of the privately owned Schwarz Gruppe. It operates thousands of stores across Europe and in the United States. The Lidl concept began in Germany in the mid-20th century as a discount grocery operation, with the first Lidl stores opening in the 1970s and the brand subsequently expanding internationally from the 1990s onward.

The Lidl business model centers on a limited-but-curated range of products, with a strong emphasis on private-label brands. Stores are designed for efficiency and turnover, featuring simple layouts and a standardized format. Prices are kept low through cost controls, high-volume procurement, and frequent promotional offers.

Global presence includes markets across Western, Southern, and parts of Central Europe, as well as the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States, where Lidl opened its first stores in 2017. The Schwarz Gruppe, headquartered in Neckarsulm, Germany, also operates Kaufland and other retail ventures, making it one of the largest retail groups in Europe.

Transparency and sustainability efforts have grown in recent years, with Lidl pursuing reductions in packaging, more sustainable sourcing, and energy efficiency in stores. The company continues to expand its private-label ranges, regional assortments, and online services where available.