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France: Lidl opens its largest global store in France

Discount Retail Chain Lidl France has hit hard with an extraordinary store, both in terms of its size and organization. An ambitious project, thought out on several levels, which awakens curiosity as much as it impresses when you are there. Behind This eagerly awaited opening, the German brand displays clearly its ambitions for the future. Modernization, Innovation and a reimagined customer experience are at the heart of this new model.


Lidl inaugurates an extraordinary and record-breaking store in Muret

It is therefore in Muret, near Toulouse, that Lidl opened today its last supermarket like no other. From 8 a.m., there were many customers in front of the doors of this new point sales concept, presented as the brand's latest concept. With a sales area of 1,840 m² spread over three levels, it is quite simply, according to its store manager Patrice Casanave, from the "largest Lidl in the world".


This new store stands out with a completely redesigned layout. The worlds of fresh, fruit and vegetables, meat and poultry are organized vertically. And this is a first for the brand. There are also huge refrigerated sections for frozen foods, a dedicated to wine, as well as automatic payment checkouts. Other particularity, an early opening at 8 a.m. Again, it is unique at Lidl. This project is a follow-up to the extensive modernization launched by the brand about ten years ago to gain even more market share.


Lidl relies on sustainable and innovative architecture

This new Lidl was built in the square of the old store, destroyed last spring, which was already one of the highest attendance at the Toulouse region. But it had to be rethought in order to to meet the constraints of the site, located between Avenue Jacques Douzans and the Avenue de l'Europe. This is why the building has been rebuilt on three levels.


The regional Lidl France real estate manager, Hélène Vivien, explains that the store be adorned with a green façade, integrating directly from the greenery to the structure. But also a façade glazed glass and noble materials in order to bring more brightness and a warmer atmosphere. The building has has also been designed with eco-friendly materials, low-power equipment and it works 100% with green electricity. Thus, no less than 1,102 m² of panels photovoltaic systems have been installed on the site.


Lidl innovates with a sales area in the first floor and new equipment

Another striking new feature: the sales area is located at upstairs, a great first at Lidl. To access it, customers use escalators. A rooftop has also been equipped for staff break times. In total, 40 employees work in this store, including 20 from new recruitment. On the parking side, the ground floor has a covered car park with 61 spaces for easy access direct to the store. Outside, 70 additional seats are available available, as well as four electric charging stations.


Finally, nearly 1,000 m² of parking space has been made of cobblestones draining, to allow rainwater to infiltrate directly into the soil. The municipality of Muret supported this project by redeveloping and reforesting green spaces in the surrounding area, including Blaize Square, with a cycle path proximity. So here is a new generation Lidl, who ticks all the boxes of modernity and who could well emulated elsewhere in France.



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