Discount Retail Chain Aldi Belgium (German family owned) is the first Belgian retailer to make its digital folder accessible via a QR code on the milk packaging of its own pirvate label brand Milsa. The paper brochure will remain, although it is intended to be phased out in due course. If you want to read the digital folder, all you have to do is scan the QR code on the milk of house brand Milsa. Why the choice for milk? Milk lends itself to all kinds of preparations at different times of the day. Moreover, a quarter of the milk sold in our country comes from Aldi. Still too limited range QR codes are now more established than a few years ago. They can help make the online folder easier to access. It can now be found on the website, in the app or as a newsletter. However, it currently only has a limited reach, which is also much lower than that of the paper folder, namely at 10 percent. With the project, the discounter combines cost savings with sustainability. It remains to be seen whether customers will make the switch to the digital folder. The paper counterpart will not be abolished, although the intention is to phase them out in due course. Make more accessible Every week, 4.4 million Aldi brochures are distributed through the shops and door-to-door distribution. Nine out of ten Belgians read the advertising brochures that fall in their mailbox. An information channel for Aldi that should not be underestimated and a handy purchasing power tool for the customer. Rising energy and paper prices, however, forced the supermarket to take the QR initiative. In addition, a survey by iVox showed that people would consult the digital folder more often if it was more accessible. Enough reason for Aldi to try that out. See here for more: https://ecotips.org/aldi-pusht-digitale-folder-via-qr-op-melk/

The retail sector is moving lately, it should be remembered that last year the commerce sector was one of the ones with the highest participation in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with 17.4%, according to the SuperSociedades report. The main factor is that the revenues of the companies that compose it rebounded about 26.4% year-on-year, reaching profits of $ 1.87 billion. On the other hand, as the discounter store market has reported an increasing growth, reaching stores such as D1 or Ara among the companies that sold the most in 2021, competing with Alkosto S.A. and the Grupo Éxito. According to the Supersocieties report, by the end of 2021 D1 S.A.S reported revenues of $9.91 billion, an increase of 34.84% and Ara rebounded revenues of $5.3 billion. See here for more: https://www.linkedin.com/company/supertiendas-ol%C3%ADmpica/

Discount Retail Chain Lidl Spain (owned by the German Schwarz Group) makes a firm commitment to local products and producers, revitalization of the labor market and opening of new stores: this is how Lidl consolidates its commitment to the economic development of the Community of Madrid, as It follows from the Impact Report of Lidl in Spain in 2020, prepared by the independent consultant PwC to analyze the economic and social impact of the chain in our country. During fiscal year 2020, the company continued to increase its global contribution to regional GDP, contributing 13% more than in 2019 (going from 575 million euros in 2019 to 650 million in 2020). According to the PwC report, these results represented 0.33% of the total GDP of the Community, thus improving the figure for 2019 (0.27%). Lidl's direct impact on Madrid's GDP in 2020 was 83.5 million euros, but, thanks to its activity, it generated another 566 million indirectly and induced. More employment in Madrid Likewise, as reflected in the PwC report, Lidl's economic activity also implied a 14% growth in total employment generated in the region, after exceeding 14,200 direct, indirect and induced jobs during fiscal year 2020 , a figure that already represents 0.47% of the regional total. At the end of said financial year, the chain had a workforce of more than 2,200 workers. However, its activity in the region (especially the opening of new stores and the purchase of local products) generated, indirectly and induced, another 12,000 jobs. In this way, Lidl exerts a very significant multiplier effect on the Madrid labor market: for each direct job it creates, it generates more than 5 additional ones. Lidl's commitment to local suppliers and expansion Lidl's commitment to local suppliers plays a very relevant role in explaining the positive impact that its activity has in the region. The company is committed to proximity and in 2020 intensified its support for the promotion of strategic sectors for the Community economy. The chain works continuously with some 90 local producers and in 2020 increased its purchases in the region by 25%, reaching 350 million euros (US$ 400 million) (280 million in 2019). Another key factor to understand Lidl's positive impact on the economy and the labor market is its ambitious expansion plan in the Community, generating wealth and employment directly, indirectly and induced. In the 2020 financial year, the company opened eight new stores and plans to launch some 50 more in the 2021-2024 period, after investing some 200 million euros (US$230 million). National data At the national level, the chain has generated with its activity in fiscal year 2020 nearly 140,000 jobs between direct, indirect and induced (0.72% of the total in Spain) and an impact on GDP of more than 6.5 billion euros (US$7.4 bn, 0.64% of the country's total). See here for more: https://www.compromisorse.com/rse/2022/01/26/lidl-incrementa-un-13-su-impacto-en-el-pib-en-2020/

Discount Retail Chain Lidl Polska (owned by the German Schwarz Group) starts the year 2022 with ambitious plans to increase employment and pay rises. The company's team currently has 25,000 employees. The chain continues to plan to systematically increase employment, allocating nearly PLN 100 million (US$ 25 million) to create new jobs. The planned investments will result in the creation of approx. 1,500 new jobs in shops, warehouses and the headquarters of Lidl Polska. This year, Lidl will allocate PLN 125 million (US$31 million) for raises, and nearly PLN 100 million for the creation of new jobs. In comparison: in 2021, Lidl spent over PLN 120 million (nearly 24,000 employees) on pay raises and annual bonuses, and in 2020 this amount was PLN 66 million (US$17 million). From March 2022, store employees will earn from PLN 3,750 (US$940) to PLN 4,600 (US$1,156) gross at the beginning of employment. After one year of work, the employer guarantees a salary increase to the level of PLN 3850 (US$967) to PLN 4800 (US$1,206), and after two years of work experience from PLN 4100 (US$1,030) to PLN 5050 (US$1,270). The level of remuneration is each time defined in the employment contract. It is about PLN 250 (US$63) more than before. Until March this year. store employees earn monthly from PLN 3,550 (US$) to PLN 4,350 (US$) at the beginning of employment. After one year of work, they were guaranteed a salary increase to PLN 3,650 (US$) to PLN 4,550 (US$), and after two years of internship, from PLN 3,900 (US$) to PLN 4,800 (US$). However, in the case of the salary of the warehouse staff, after the increases, it will be from PLN 4,350 (US$) to PLN 4,750 (US$) at the beginning of employment. After one year of work, it will increase to PLN 4,550 (US$) to PLN 5,000 (US$). After two years of employment, it will be from PLN 4,800 (US$)to PLN 5,250 (US$), and after three years of work from PLN 5,100 (US$) to PLN 5,500 (US$). In turn, store managers can count on remuneration in the amount of PLN 4,850 (US$1,218) to PLN 5,550 (US$1,400) when starting work in this position. After a year, the salary will increase to the level from PLN 6,050 (US$1,520) to PLN 6,400 (US$ 1,608), and after 2 years it will be from PLN 6,950 (US$ 1,746) to PLN 7,500 (US$ 1,885). Moreover, at Lidl Polska, all store managers are entitled to a company car. The position taken determines the amount of the raise. In total, the company will spend as much as PLN 125 million (US$31 million) on salary increases. Apart from wages higher than the average wages retailers, Lidl guarantees its staff a package of non-wage benefits, such as private medical care, group insurance, Multisport card, training, layette "for a baby" and a first-grader, as well as a free Employee Support Program, under which they can benefit from the help of a psychologist, lawyer and financial advisor. One of the advantages of working at Lidl Polska is also a chance for professional development, the company promotes equal pay for women and men as well as internal promotions. In addition, all employees and their relatives can expand their competences thanks to free access to eTutor, a platform for independent language learning online. It is also worth recalling that as part of the Christmas surprise, each employee of Lidl Polska received PLN 1,000 (US$250) (PLN 800 in the form of purchase coupons in the Lidl Plus application and PLN 200 in the form of a gift card). In this way, the network invited all its employees, associates, as well as people employed by some contractors to take part in the great promotional campaign of the Lidl Plus shopping application. Additionally, over 21,000 Christmas packages were handed over to the employees' children. See here for more: https://handelextra.pl/artykuly/257031,lidl-przeznacza-na-podwyzki-i-nowe-miejsca-pracy-225-mln-zl

Discount Retail Chain Lidl Austria (owned by German Schwarz Gruppe) is getting louder. Since the Swiss-born Alessandro Wolf took over the chairmanship of the Lidl Austria management on December 1, 2019, no stone has been left unturned at the discount store. In the medianet interview, Wolf talks about the retailer's modernization, range expansion and climate offensive. Lidl increased sales by 7% to EUR 1.47 billion (US$1.73Bn) last year. How satisfied are you with the results, also in comparison to the competition? In principle, it would be presumptuous to not be satisfied with anyone who was not allowed to keep it open. In the food retail sector, customer frequency has generally decreased due to the pandemic, customers no longer went to two or more shops. Full-range retailers have benefited more from this than the discount. We could still do well here and are satisfied. In the previous year, a number of locations were modernized, and the entire branch network is to be converted to the new store concept by 2023. How do the renovated sites differ from those that are still to be modernized? With the new stores, we are simply offering our customers a better shopping experience. The entire atmosphere is lighter and more customer-friendly, the shelves are clearer and technically up-to-date. Shopping is faster and, above all, much easier. We stay true to our values ​​when it comes to our products and concentrate on freshness, regionality and the best price-performance ratio. We have also created space for the large range expansion. With organic in particular, we still have a lot planned. As part of this expansion, Lidl has expanded its range by 400 products since January 2020. What were the main areas in which the product range was expanded? The expansion basically affects almost all product groups. The focus is still clearly on regionality and organic quality from Austria. And we are constantly developing; the best example of this is our Austrian own organic brand 'A good piece of home'. What is new is that it has recently become 100 percent climate neutral and thus sets a benchmark for sustainability. We have also greatly expanded our vegetarian offer and added a total of 15 new vegetarian alternatives to our permanent range. Lidl wants to be perceived as the 'main shop for regular family shopping'. What steps are necessary to be perceived as an option by even more people? By listing the new products in the past financial year, we have already taken a big step and already have 2,000 items in our permanent range. The clear focus is on the freshness areas, where we offer up to 150 items in the fruit and vegetable area, for example, or bake over 45 breads a day. We also have big plans for meat and will have over 80 meat and fish items listed in the summer. So we're mainly focusing on the product range here, but at the same time we want shopping with us to be quick and easy. Shopping with children is not always particularly relaxing (laughs). We also have the best price-performance ratio. This is also confirmed by the recent award from the ÖGVS (see page 8). In December, Lidl was the first large grocery retailer to speak out in favor of one-way deposit, a few weeks later Lidl caused a sensation in the industry with the introduction of a one-way deposit machine. What were the reasons for this? In order to be able to achieve the common goals of the circular economy package in Austria, the entire collection and recycling system must be further optimized, standardized and simplified. With a one-way deposit, especially with PET, cycles can be closed, the quality of the high-quality raw material preserved and littering minimized. The best example is the 1.5 liter PET bottle of our still Saskia mineral water: The entire body of the bottle is made from 100% recycled PET. We also use approx. 70% less fresh PET for lemonades and iced teas of our own brands 'Saskia' and 'Freeway' than we did a few years ago. It is important that when a one-way deposit arrives, the system is made as simple and efficient as possible. Lidl's sustainability efforts are bundled in the 'Lidl Climate Offensive', the motto is 'On the way to tomorrow'. What are the key points of the program? We are constantly working on improvements in all areas of activity. Particular attention will be paid to climate protection in the coming months and years. This also includes our strategy of reducing plastic, promoting the circular economy or avoiding food waste, but also renewable energy. There are currently over 20 photovoltaic systems in operation on the branches and roofs of the logistics centers that produce environmentally friendly, green electricity. The topic of e-mobility is also important to us. We currently have 38 stores with free E-charging stations for our customers and employees. The topic of climate protection will continue to play a major role, we want to present news about our climate offensive in autumn. In the past few years, the discount retail industry has undergone a major change in image. How does Lidl differentiate itself from its competitors in the discount retail segment? Discount retail has developed tremendously in recent years, especially when it comes to the topics of product presentation, variety and quality or the fresh offer. With our wide range, we are now a real one-stop shop and are developing into smart discounters. A special feature are, for example, our 'Food Expos' with regularly changing, international country campaigns. Here we can build on the common strengths of the individual Lidl countries within the group and thus offer the best international products to our customers. Our old virtues such as an outstanding price-performance ratio and a consistent approach to freshness have remained. And you can rely on us in the future too. We are always working to get even better. We are open to new things and innovations, but it also has to fit our format. Keyword digitization, our Lidl Plus app is a perfect example here: Our digital benefit app has been available since 2018, which makes shopping even easier and more pleasant for our customers. Lidl recently opened its 255th store in Austria in Liesing. Will that number keep growing in 2021? And what else is Lidl up to? Our focus in the next two years is clearly on our existing branch network. The Austrian food market has the highest market concentration in all of Europe. Locations that make economic sense at the end of the day are not that easy to find. But there are still some blank spots, and there is still room for improvement for us. Our goal is to keep growing, but not at any price. That means we will be more selective when looking for a location. Four new branches are currently planned for the 2021 financial year, four more locations will be completely rebuilt, and we will continue to drive qualitative expansion. In addition, our new, ultra-modern logistics center in Großebersdorf will go into full operation as early as May. We are creating up to 250 new jobs and investing more than 150 million euros (US$176Mn) in the region. With the new logistics center, we are laying the foundation for further expansion. It is one of the largest and most efficient logistics centers in the entire Lidl Group and provides additional capacities for delivering to our branches. See here for more: https://medianet.at/news/retail/lidl-auf-grossem-modernisierungskurs-38727.html#

Discount Retail Chain Lidl Estonia (owned by the German Schwarz Group) has opened its first discount stores in Estonia. The German discount chain is now active in all Baltic states, although this entry was not without a struggle. Baltic start complete In one day, Lidl opened the doors of no fewer than eight stores in Estonia. The supermarkets opened in the capital Tallinn and three other Estonian cities, German newspaper Zeit reported. Estonia is the 31st country where Lidl entered the market. Lidl is now present in all three Baltic States, after launching in Lithuania in 2016 and Latvia in October 2020. The Estonian expansion has been in the making for years: owner Schwarz Group spent 80 million euros (US$96 million) on the launch, which would create over a thousand new jobs in the country of 1.2 million inhabitants. Countries without Aldi For Lidl, the Baltic States are an interesting market, because rival Aldi is not yet present there. In Latvia and Lithuania, the arrival of the chain is said to have had a big impact and put the traditional supermarket players under pressure. However, a previous attempt some fifteen years ago failed miserably: Lidl had already bought properties here and there, hired employees and had concrete plans on the table, but suddenly pulled the plug in 2006. All properties were sold again and the employees were fired. See here for more: https://www.retaildetail.eu/en/news/food/lidl-launches-aldi-estonia

Discount Retail Chain Lidl Latvia (owned by the German Schwarz Group) will start our operations in Latvia on October 7 at 08:00 with the simultaneous opening of 15 stores throughout the country! Lidl stores will be opened in Riga, Liepaja, Ventspils, Tukums, Jelgava, Ogre, Valmiera, Jekabpils, Rezekne and Daugavpils. In total, in preparation for the long-awaited opening of stores, more than 200 million euros have been invested in the construction of stores and logistics centers, more than 2,000 new jobs have been created. “The Lidl Latvija team is very happy that today we can announce the launch of our stores in Latvia. The opening of Lidl stores will mark an important stage in our mission to provide the highest quality products at the lowest possible price to our customers in Latvia, thus creating the joy of affording more. We are looking forward to everyone in Lidl stores,” - says Jākobs Jozefsons, Chairman of the Board of Lidl Latvija. The grand opening of the chain of stores and the ribbon-cutting ceremonies at all stores will take place a few minutes before 8.00 on the morning of October 7, in the presence of invited guests, prominent townspeople and many enthusiastic Lidl customers. The Lidl store in Riga, Sergeja Eizenšteina Street 81, will be opened by the German Ambassador to Latvia Kristians Helts, the Minister of Welfare Gatis Eglītis, the Chairman of the Riga City Council Mārtiņš Staķis and the Deputy Chairman Vilnis Ķirsis. In the first wave, 15 stores will be opened - six “Lidl” stores in Riga and one each in Jelgava, Valmiera, Tukums, Jēkabpils, Ogre, Liepāja, Ventspils, Rēzekne and Daugavpils. The prices of some products are already known From October 7 to October 10, bananas for 0.39 euros / kg, chicken - for 1.15 euros / kg, chocolate - for 0.39 euros per piece will be available in Lidl stores. Lidl stores in Latvia will be open every day from 8.00 to 22.00. Salary of employees Reviewing job advertisements, it can be seen that Lidl promises to pay 6 euros per hour (before taxes) to employees who will work in Lidl stores in Riga and 5.40 euros per hour (before taxes) in stores outside Riga. Thus, for an 8-hour working day, the salary could vary from 821 euros to 1104 euros per month before taxes, depending on the location of the store and the number of working days per month. The basic salary of employees of Maxima and Rimi stores (reviewing from job advertisements) varies between 3.40 and 5 euros per hour gross. In addition, Maxima employees receive free meals, paid for the first compulsory health examination, health insurance (after 1 year of service). Rimi also provides its employees with free meals, pays for the first compulsory health examination, provides health insurance after 1 year, salary increase after the examination period and discounts for purchases in Rimi stores. Lidl does not promise free meals. However, it insures against accidents from day one. "Also, all employees will receive a health insurance policy after the end of the 3-month probationary period. All employees will receive professional training, during which they will receive a full salary. It will be possible to choose full-time or part-time working hours. Of course, employees will have a modern work environment and well-equipped recreation rooms,”- explained Ingid Rudzitis, public relations manager of Lidl Latvija. See here for more: https://news.pricer.lt/lt/article/6127-Official+Announcement%3A+LIDL+STORES+IN+LATVIA+WILL+OPEN+ON+OCTOBER+7

Discount Retail Chain Lidl (owned by the German Schwarz Group) for the first time in history exceeded the EUR 100 billion (US$106 billion) mark in sales, and its parent company, the Schwarz Group, also performed well. This means that the new Schwarz Group president, Gerd Chrzanowski, did not waste his chance for a good start. The results for the financial year 2021/22 are a milestone for Lidl: the retailer reported sales of € 100.8 billion. This is an increase of 4.7 percent. The increase in turnover is partly due to the opening of 300 new stores. Good results for the Schwarz Group The entire Schwarz Group recorded good results: turnover increased from EUR 125.3 billion (US$132 billion) to EUR 133.6 billion (US$141 billion). The Kaufland hypermarket chain increased its turnover by 7.4 percent, to EUR 27.3 billion (US$29 billion). The group's total online turnover was 1.7 billion euros (US$ 1.8 billion). The group runs over 13.3 thousand stores and invested around EUR 8 billion (US$8.5 billion) last year in expansion, modernization and digitization. Good data supports CEO Gerd Chrzanowski, who took office this financial year after an internal struggle for power in the group and decided to revolutionize the company. He wants to turn a tightly managed, traditional retailer into an agile, digital company. See here for more: https://www.dlahandlu.pl/detal-hurt/lidl-przekroczyl-granice-100-mld-euro-sprzedazy,108367.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dlahandlu.pl

By retail business expert Sebastian Rennack Discount Retail Chain Lidl's (owned by German Schwarz Gruppe) successes in Croatia and Serbia allow Lidl to take the next step in the Balkans, to Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to German respected grocery retail magazine LZ, the first store in BiH should be opened in 2022. Anyone looking for Lidl in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo has so far only been able to find an outlet store that even has the Lidl logo, but according to the store's Facebook page, non-food products of various Lidl brands are sold there. By the way, the store in the city center has nothing to do with Lidl. But there should soon be a real Lidl store in Sarajevo: Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the countries Schwarz Gruppe has added to the list for enlargement. Simultaneously with the entry into the Serbian market, rumors were heard five years ago, which were later denied. Now the plans are apparently being implemented. However, Lidl did not want to confirm the exact date of entry into BiH market. Although the project of enlargement to the entire Balkans did not aim at a large financial effect, the opposite happened, Croatia and Serbia soon became among the strongest markets of the Schwarz Gruppe. With weekly sales in the equivalent of 240,000 to 250,000 euros (net) (US$284,000 - US$296,000), Lidl's subsidiaries in Serbia are currently a result that raises boundaries, and successes are measured against them. In comparison: 3,200 discount stores in Germany have an average weekly turnover of almost 140,000 euros (US$165,000), if you divide the annual turnover of 22.7 billion euros (net, without online sales US$26.9Bn) by the number of stores. The Serbian national company, which started operating in 2018, even surpassed the previous champion of sales, Lithuania, in the internal Lidl rank. There, the business started in 2016 with weekly sales of up to 230,000 euros (US$272,000), but has since dropped to just under 200,000 euros (US$237,000), company experts report. Lidl Serbia is not only extremely good in terms of sales, the profit margin before taxes is also impressive in 2019/2020, according to internal commercial regulations, this value was planned as a minus of 5.3% for the second year of operation. Large and modern shops in Serbia were not approved when they started business in Neckarsulm. Buildings that look like "glass palaces" are obviously well received by customers. According to the company, the range includes about 1,800 SKUs, in addition to Lidl's own Private Label brands, there are also a good 400 products from about 60 domestic suppliers. In Croatia, Lidl has been operating in the corona year with a 6% drop in sales, due to the weak tourist season in the country. According to LZ, several Croatian Lidl subsidiaries are among the best-selling locations in the world of Lidl in the summer months. However, Lidl has also gained a leading market share in Croatia in recent months: according to trade experts, allegedly a competitor Konzum had a minus of 12%, and smaller suppliers even more. The sister company of the Schwarz Kaufland supermarket chain did better, as it had minus 8%. The Croatian model is not a bad pattern for Bosnia and Herzegovina either, because there are very close ties between the two countries. In an interview with LZ, a Bosnian food retail insider speculates that Lidl will initially open facilities in places with more than 30,000 inhabitants. "In this case, Lidl has the potential for 30 cities." Centers with higher purchasing power, such as the capital Sarajevo or Mostar, have the potential for more locations. See here for more: https://www.instore.hr/regija/lebensmittel-zeitung-lidl-zainteresiran-za-dolazak-u-bosnu-i-hercegovinu-14898.html

Discount Retail Chain Lidl Poland (owned by the German Schwarz Group) has 13 operating companies in Poland. In the last financial year, Lidl sp. Z oo sp. K. Generated revenues of PLN 23.8 billion (US$6.1Billion) compared to PLN 21.7 billion (US$5.5Billion) a year earlier, +9.2%. Lidl Polska sp. Z oo sp. K., which deals with running Lidl stores in our country, published its report for the period from March 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021. The company's revenues from sales in the given period of the year amounted to PLN 23.8 Billion (US$6.1 Billion). The balance sheet total as at February 28, 2021 was PLN 13.6 Billion (US$3.5 Billion). Equity amounted to PLN 9.2 Billion (US$2.4 Billion). As for Lidl Polska sp. Z oo, sales revenues amounted to PLN 212 million (US$ 54million). The balance sheet total is PLN 182 million (US$ 46.5million), and equity as at February 28, 2021. Sales revenues in the financial year 2019 amounted to PLN 175 million (US$ 45million). The Schwarz Group controls 13 subsidiaries in Poland Lidl Polska sp. Z oo sp. K. with its seat in Tarnowo Podgórne, conducting retail trade in the Republic of Poland through the Lidl discount chain. Lidl sp. Z oo with its seat in Tarnowo Podgórne takes care of the space rental, purchase and sale of real estate. Lidl Polska sp. Z oo with its seat in Tarnowo Podgórne is running the company's headquarters (Shared Services Center) with the exception of Purchasing and Sales. Delta Marketing Services sp. Z oo with its seat in Tarnowo Podgórne (management of the Winnica Lidla portal) and Lidl Online International Logistics sp., z o. o. with its seat in Tarnowo Podgórne (provision of logistic services). The worldwide turnover of the Schwarz Group in the 2019/2020 financial year was approximately EUR 113.3 billion (US$. Lidl in Poland currently operates approx. 760 stores and 11 own regional distribution centers. The chain employs 22,003 people. See here for more: https://www.dlahandlu.pl/wiadomosci/,101731.html

Discount Retail Chain Lidl Poland (owned by the German Schwarz Group) decided to take over the high managerial staff, managing the company, an annual development program as part of postgraduate studies at the Kozminski University. Lidl focuses on the personal development of its employees "Our next development program will cover nearly 30 directors, i.e. people who belong to high-level management. This time we want to put them at the center of our development activities, offering them a one-year postgraduate program, designed especially for our needs together with the Kozminski University", says Marta Florczak, member of the Management Board of Lidl Polska for HR. The aim of the program is to update macroeconomic knowledge and the latest trends in the FMCG industry as well as to exchange experiences. Leadership is also an important point of the program, that is, looking at yourself as a leader managing large teams and influencing the further development of the organization. Importantly, the program is also a motivating tool for managers. Studies at the Kozminski University for the directors of Lidl Polska Postgraduate studies, conducted in a hybrid model at the Kozminski University, will last from April 2022 to May 2023 and will end with the defense of final theses. Final projects will be implemented in the organization. Lidl slogan is 'Who stops getting better every day stops being good'. I have no doubts that when I meet the directors covered by the development program next year, including my colleagues, we will look at our daily activities in a new, perhaps completely different, way. "I hope that in addition to practical knowledge and improvement, the program will also bring them a lot of satisfaction", added Włodzimierz Wlaźlak, President of the Management Board of Lidl Polska. See here for more: https://www-dlahandlu-pl.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.dlahandlu.pl/detal-hurt/wiadomosci/lidl-polska-wysyla-swoich-dyrektorow-na-studia-podyplomowe,107692.amp

Discount Retail Chain Lidl GB (owned by the German Schwarz Group) will create over 1,200 new warehouse jobs by the end of 2025 as it begins recruitment for its new regional distribution centre (RDC) in Luton. Work began on Lidl’s new 1.2 million sq ft distribution centre last year. It is set to become the discounter’s largest RDC not just in the UK but globally. When fully operational, the RDC will service more than 150 stores in London and the surrounding counties. Lidl has now begun recruitment for the warehouse and will be looking to fill a wide range of roles over the course of the next year, from warehouse operatives and operations managers to support roles in HR and payroll. The Luton distribution centre will support Lidl’s rapid expansion. In the month of February alone the discounter opened 13 new stores across the country, including Hounslow, Burton-Upon-Trent and Blairgowrie, which collectively created approximately 520 new jobs. Lidl GB chief executive Ryan McDonnell said: “This new distribution centre – the largest in any Lidl market globally – signifies our continued commitment to expansion across Great Britain and the creation of local jobs. “At a time when many households are struggling, we are more focused than ever on giving more communities access to our unrivalled quality-value combination, whilst taking care of our own colleagues by paying them wages that are higher than the cost of living. “Our competitive pay and benefits is already helping to attract new colleagues, and we’re looking forward to welcoming 1,200 new people to our workforce soon.” The supermarket also has over 3,000 jobs currently available across the country and has been in contact with Government to express its desire to help with employing Ukrainian refugees. McDonnell said: “We are shocked and saddened by the events unfolding in Ukraine. We are keen to explore ways in which we can provide support here in Great Britain. We have thousands of live job vacancies and so we are in contact with Government to understand how we can help individuals coming from Ukraine with employment opportunities.” McDonnell said: “We are shocked and saddened by the events unfolding in Ukraine. We are keen to explore ways in which we can provide support here in Great Britain. We have thousands of live job vacancies and so we are in contact with Government to understand how we can help individuals coming from Ukraine with employment opportunities.” See here for more: https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2022/03/lidl-to-create-over-1200-new-warehouse-jobs/