Discount Retail Chain Lidl Spain (owned by the German Schwarz Group) has recently started building a new logistics platform in the Granada municipality of Escúzar to continue boosting its growth in southern Spain, according to the company. This project, based on a plot of more than 132,000 square meters located in the Metropolitan Industrial and Technological Park of Granada, will involve an investment of about 85 million euros (US$ 102 million) and its entry into operation is scheduled for mid-2023. With more than 65,000 square meters of surface, Escúzar will be one of the largest warehouses of the supermarket chain in Spain and will join the two logistics centers that Lidl already has in Andalusia: one in Malaga and another in Dos Hermanas (Seville). This operation, which responds precisely to the company's need to adapt its logistics resources to the development it has been experiencing in this region, will allow Lidl to continue creating wealth through its "ambitious" expansion plan, its ability to generate quality employment and its firm commitment to the regional product. The future Escúzar warehouse is part of Lidl's national expansion plan, which in the period 2021-2024 will involve an investment of 1.5 billion euros (US$ 1.8 Bn) to inaugurate some 150 stores and four warehouses throughout the country. Dynamizer of the Andalusian and Granada economy With the start-up of the future logistics centre in Escúzar, Lidl plans to consolidate its position as one of the main drivers of the Andalusian economy. The supermarket chain already has a network of more than 120 stores and a workforce of more than 2,900 people in this autonomous community, where its commitment to the agri-food industry is already synonymous with record annual purchases of regional product for more than 1.37 Billion euros (US$ 1.65 Bn) from more than 70 suppliers. Thanks to its activity in Andalusia, Lidl is already responsible for more than 27,400 direct, indirect and induced jobs (0.88% of the total), also contributing more than 1.28 Billion euros (US$ 1.54 Bn) per year to GDP (0.85% of the total). Lidl stressed that its commitment to the province of Granada has been evidenced especially through its expansion plan. In the last five years, for example, the company has opened the doors of up to six establishments (Guadix, Motril, Almuñécar, Armilla, Albolote and Granada), investing more than 12 million euros (US$ 14.4 million) and creating more than 30 new jobs with only the two most recent Guadix and Motril, during the month of November. In total, Lidl already has 17 points of sale and nearly 400 employees in the province of Granada. See here for more: Lidl will invest €85 million in its warehouse in Escúzar (Granada) to boost growth in southern Spain (ampproject.org)

Discount Retail Chain Aldi UK (German family owned) plans to recruit more than 100 additional British suppliers as it continues to strengthen its business against international supply chain challenges. The discounter already sources about three quarters of its products from British-based suppliers, a factor it has credited with helping it maintain good availability levels while some supermarkets have struggled. All its fresh meat, eggs, milk, butter and cream and 40% of the fresh produce it sells comes from British suppliers. The new recruitment drive will include finding more British suppliers for Aldi’s general merchandise ‘Specialbuys’, some of which were affected last year by global shipping delays from China. The supermarket is also looking to source more food and drink from Britain in an acceleration of a commitment to increase spend with British suppliers by £3.5bn (US$ 4.8Bn) a year by the end of 2025. “We are incredibly proud of our support for British suppliers, and excited for our supply chain partners to grow with us,” said Aldi UK CEO Giles Hurley. “That’s why we’re now on the lookout for even more British suppliers to add to our current partnerships, helping to create even more jobs as well as new opportunities for these businesses.” Aldi spent £9bn (US$ 12.2Bn) with British suppliers last year. When the supermarket announced its annual results in September, Hurley said it provided an advantage amid wider availability challenges because it meant shorter supply chains and “the benefit of additional control”. Lidl, which sources around two-thirds of its assortment from Britain, has also pointed to the arrangement as a strength amid supply chain challenges. Speaking as Lidl GB announced its annual results in November, CEO Christian Härtnagel said it was part of the business’s strategy for minimising disruption from new checks on goods entering the UK from 1 January. Businesses to benefit from Aldi’s investment in British suppliers include Cuoco, a family-owned biscuit maker in Yeovil, Somerset. Cuoco has supplied Aldi with Florentines and chocolate biscuits as part of its ‘Exquisite Specially Selected’ Christmas range for the past three years. This year it is to add to the selection with the launch of Chocolate Caramel Thins. Cuoco MD and creative director Liam Pithers said: “Our partnership with Aldi keeps us very busy in the run-up to Christmas, with our speciality biscuits always proving incredibly popular. The growing partnership is allowing us to bring even more local staff on board and the majority of our ingredients are sourced via local suppliers. “We’re working hard to develop even more exciting new flavours, sustainable packaging formats and products, and hope to extend our Exquisite Specially Selected range with Aldi even further in the years to come.” See here for more: Aldi planning to recruit more than 100 additional British suppliers | News | The Grocer

Discount Retail Chain Aldi UK (German family owned) has been named the “most hygienic supermarket in the UK” in a study of 744 stores. Conducted by Property Inspect, the study used data from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to identify the percentage of supermarkets under each brand that received a rating of five in their latest hygiene inspection. Out of its 744 stores across the country, 99.73% of Aldi chains in the UK boasted a top hygiene rating of five. This was followed by Waitrose (98.24%) and M&S (96.72%). Meanwhile, 88.64% of Co-op stores were rated a five, while 89.62% of Asda’s did the same. The study found that only 0.88% of all supermarkets in the UK had a rating of 3 or below. The research follows a study from 2020 conducted on behalf of specialist insurer, NFU Mutual, which found that the pandemic has led to more consumers checking the hygiene ratings of the supermarkets they shop in. The survey of more than 2,000 people found that 69% of shoppers now actively check out the ratings and take it into account when they choose where to buy food. Warrick Swift, commercial director of Property Inspect, said: “With more people than ever assessing the hygiene quality of stores they choose to buy from, sophistication in cleaning processes has never been more essential. “While big-name brands like these supermarket chains have generally high results across the majority of their stores, more can be done to ensure the safety of their customers across the UK. “Given that a rating of three or below could lose a store as much as a third of its business, this is an issue where shoppers will vote with their feet which grocery stores of all kinds should pay close attention to.” See here for more: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/aldi-most-hygienic-supermarket-uk-b1975676.html

Discount Retail Chain Aldi UK (German family owned) got a M&S claim on Aldi’s gold flake blackberry and clementine gin liqueurs. According to court papers this private label products are “strikingly similar” to M&S own private label product. It lists several features that it says are protected, including the gin’s integrated light feature, gold leaf flakes, a winter forest graphic, and the bell shape of the bottle. In its intellectual property claim, M&S says that customers were misled to believe the two gins were of the same standard, allowing Aldi to “ride on the coat-tails” of its brand reputation. M&S wants an injunction to prevent Aldi from committing any further alleged infringements of its protected designs. The British retailer also wants Aldi to either destroy or hand over any product that may breach the injunctions, as well as an investigation into potential damages. The suit follows a similar disagreement between the two companies. Back in April, M&S sued Aldi over its Cuthbert cake, claiming it was too similar to its well-known Colin the Caterpillar cake. See here for more: https://www.lawyer-monthly.com/2021/12/ms-sues-aldi-for-copying-christmas-gin/

Discount Retail Chain Lidl Sweden (owned by the German Schwarz Group) is noticed for the first time in this type of comparison. It makes me both happy and proud. That we have the cheapest lunch bag is one thing, but that in combination with delivering an assortment with the highest quality makes us unique. We live up to our promise of the highest quality at the best price - every day throughout Sweden as we have the same prices and range in all of our stores, says Robert Stekovic, Commercial Director at Lidl Sweden. Norrbottens-Kuriren compared the regular prices of 86 brands with the same packaging that is available in all stores. The survey did not include goods with temporary promotional prices. Survey results: Lidl's lunch box SEK 1,820.76 (US$ 199) Willys lunch box SEK 1,831.45 (US$ 200) ICA Maxis lunch box SEK 1,937.10 (US$ 211) Stora Coop Storheden SEK 1,950.55 (US$ 213) ICA Quantity SEK 1,994.15 (US$ 217) See here for more: https://via.tt.se/pressmeddelande/billigaste-matkassen-finns-hos-lidl?publisherId=2265114&releaseId=3312272

Discount Retail Chain Lidl Poland (owned by the German Schwarz Group) has just announced that it will open as many as eight more branches. In December this year, the 800th Lidl Polska store will be opened. It is not known, however, which one it will be, because as Lidl declares as many as eight stores are ready to be launched. They are located in such towns as Sędziszów Małopolski, Wodzisław Śląski, Janki, Nowa Dęba, Myślenice, Poznań and two in Łódź. However, if it was not so easy, two of them started on December 2, these are supermarkets in Sędziszów Małopolski at 10 Wesoła Street and in Łódź at ul. Konstytucji 1B. In connection with the opening of the 800th store, the company launched a great promotional campaign for the Lidl Plus application, addressed to employees. As part of it, it offers them a discount of up to PLN 800 (US$194) on purchases in stores. The operator wants to reach as many users as possible with his application, which is why store crews will be able to invite any person they choose to participate in the campaign. Co-workers and people employed by some of the network's contractors can also take part in it. According to the monitoring of HandelExtra.pl, after these eight openings, Lidl will have 805 stores in Poland. See here for more: https://handelextra.pl/artykuly/255663,lidl-potwierdza-w-grudniu-otwarcie-800-sklepu

Discount Retail Chain Lidl Sweden (owned by the German Schwarz Group) has focused on updating existing stores. Today, when 2021 is about to end, it's time for this year's first reopening. We are incredibly happy to open another store in Sundsvall and contribute to giving Sundsvall residents alternatives to the high-price chains, says regional director Johan Eriksson in a comment. The new store is located in Bydalen. The total area is 2,500 square meters where 1,350 square meters is sales area. Lidl already has a store on Kolvägen in Sundsvall. "We need to continue to grow and establish ourselves in more places because we want more Swedish households to have access to food of the highest quality at the best price. The fact that Lidl Sweden has grown faster than our competitors in recent years is proof that we have been successful," says Sweden manager Johan Augustsson. But during the current period, the focus has been on updating existing stores. During the financial year 2021/2022, 77 stores will receive Lidl's new concept. Therefore, today's premiere in Bydalen is the first new opening for this year. See here for more: https://www.dagligvarunytt.se/i-butik/etablering/lidl-klammer-in-arets-forsta-nyoppning-med-15-dagar-kvar-av-2021/

Discount Retail Chain PEPCO (owned by Steinhoff International and stock listed) Greece will become the 17th European market in which Pepco operates. The chain currently operates stores from Estonia in northern Europe, Italy in the south and from Spain in the west, Bulgaria in the east, while in the autumn of 2021 it expanded its presence successfully entering the Austrian market with the next country to be Germany. Upon entering Greece, the expansion of the entire Pepco Group, which also operates discount retail businesses (Poundland in the United Kingdom and Ireland and Dealz in Spain and Poland) will reach a total of 20 active markets. After extensive market research in Greece, Pepco aims to open its first stores in the Athens area and will follow further expansion to the rest of the country. Pepco seeks to work with property owners and brokers to ensure the long-term lease of stores between 350 square meters and 650 square meters in retail space and shopping malls in cities and towns with more than 20,000 inhabitants. Anca Radu, Pepco’s Retail Sales Manager, said: «The launch in Greece marks the Pepco the next important step in the growth trajectory it has entered. After the detailed market research carried out and with a recent successful example of our entry with stores in Mediterranean countries such as Spain in 2021 and Italy in 2020, we are confident that its attractive prices, product quality and wide range of options Pepco will be a strong incentive for Greek consumers.“ He also added: “In 2020, the Pepco increased the number of its employees by more than a quarter, while maintaining a very high retention rate. “We focus on creating opportunities for our colleagues to grow with us, so it is a priority for us to hire people who are passionate, enthusiastic and want to develop their skills and contribute to the development of the company.” Pepco currently employs more than 22,000 people and provides them with extensive training to enhance their contribution to the business and grow their careers over the long term, while offering them flexible working models. Many Pepco senior executives began their careers working in stores. The company initially plans to hire 120 employees to start its activities in Greece. Serving around 20 million customers a month, Pepco now operates more than 2,500 stores across Europe. The company provides families with everything they need to make quality purchases while saving money, including children’s clothing, along with men’s and women’s clothing, fashion. See here for more: https://new-fox--24-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/new.fox-24.com/news/amp/2001

Discount Variety Retail Chain Pepco Group (owned by Steinhoff International and stock listed), the owner of a chain of multi-branch discount stores, under the Pepco, Dealz and Poundland brands, announced the opening of the 100th Dealz store in Poland and the 150th in continental Europe. The operator announces the acceleration of the development of this chain of stores... The 100th Dealz store in Poland was opened in Olsztyn after just over three and a half years of the brand's presence in the country. The rapid expansion of the Dealz chain continued despite the disruptions related to Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Pepco Group plans to further accelerate the expansion of the Dealz chain of stores. The success of Dealz in Poland, as well as in Spain, where 50 stores are already operating, proves the attractiveness of the offer and the effectiveness of the Group's operations, as well as the development opportunities in other countries. Expansion in the neighboring countries of Poland is a clear and close prospect for the Pepco Group. "The success of the Dealz store format in Poland meant that we kept up the fast pace of launching new stores. We want to accelerate this pace even more next year. The launch of our 100th store in Poland, only three and a half years after the brand debut on this market, is another proof of our belief in the attractiveness of Dealz's offer for its customers and indicates the potential for expansion in other markets. It is also a testament to the talent of the Continental Europe brand management team and our ability to act in all circumstances," - says Sean Cardinaal, Divisional Managing Director Poundland, Dealz and PGS. Dealz offer is based on unique products of brands known for their high quality, at reduced prices. Customers can choose from goods from the FMCG category, general-purpose goods, toys, gardening and DIY equipment. Dealz benefits from synergies with its sister chain, Poundland, operating in Great Britain. Both networks carry out joint purchases, share best practices, and the increased scale of operations allows them to improve efficiency. Pepco Group currently operates approximately 3,400 stores under the Pepco, Dealz and Poundland brands in 16 countries. The brand's headquarters is located in Poznań. The company employs approximately 17,000 people in 14 European countries, and has the strongest presence in Poland, Romania, Hungary and the Czech Republic. The first 14 Pepco stores were opened in Poland in 2004. In 2013, Pepco expanded its operations to the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and in 2015-2017 it opened stores in Croatia, Hungary, Lithuania, Romania and Slovenia. From 2018, the company opened stores in Latvia, Estonia, Bulgaria, Italy, Serbia and Spain. See here for more: https://news.pricer.lt/article/2925-Pepco+Group+plans+to+accelerate+the+development+of+the+Dealz+discount+chain+in+Poland

Discount Retail Chain Pepco Group (owned by Steinhoff International and listed ), which operates the PEPCO, Poundland and Dealz discount retailer brands in Europe, has reported a 46% jump in its 2020/21 core profit, reflecting new store openings amid the easing of lockdown restrictions. The group said its underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) came in at €647 million (US$ 776 million) in the year ended September 30, in line with its forecast range of €640 million (US$ 768 million) to €655 million (US$ 786million). The group had previously anticipated full-year profit to be at the upper end of expectations. Pepco, which listed on the Warsaw stock market in May with a valuation of €5 billion (US$ 6 Bn), said revenue increased on a constant currency basis by 19.3% to €4.12 billion (US$ 5 Bn), with like-for-like sales up 6.5%. The company saw 483 store openings, including the first PEPCO stores in Austria, Serbia and Spain, taking the total to 3,504. The group said it has a strong new stores' pipeline for 2021-22 and beyond, while it also plans to boost its workforce. Plans To Open In Germany "The highly encouraging initial performance of these Western European PEPCO stores gives us increasing confidence that the whole of Europe is an addressable market for us, with our plans to open in Germany well on track for the first half of 2022," chief executive Andy Bond said. "Through our new stores we remain on course to create at least 13,000 jobs over the next three years." Increased Costs The group said it continued to face commodity inflation and increased shipping costs alongside supply chain disruption at the start of its new financial year. However, it said it has a clear strategy to mitigate the impact. It also said that it is monitoring the emerging new wave of Omicron variant across Europe that has resulted in the re-introduction of government-mandated restrictions in some of its operating territories. "Based on our understanding of the current level of COVID impact on revenue and costs, we are confident in delivering full-year profit growth in line with historic levels," the company said. See here for more: https://www.esmmagazine.com/retail/pepco-group-core-earnings-rise-46-boosted-by-new-store-openings-156439

Discount Retail Chain Lidl Germany (owned by the German Schwarz Group) has been consistently committed to more sustainable standards and fair trade in global supply chains for years. As early as 2006, the company was the first retailer in Germany to introduce "Fairglobe", its own brand for fair trade products such as coffee and organic bananas. Since summer 2019, conventional bananas with Fairtrade certification have also been available in all German Lidl stores. The food retailer pursues an approach for fair wages and incomes, which includes transparency on the wage and income situation of people in global supply chains, responsible purchasing practices and the implementation of scalable pilot projects. As part of the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA), Lidl is therefore working on a new industry-wide pilot project on living wages and incomes in the banana sector in Ecuador and other countries, which was presented today at an INA kick-off event. The project envisages a conversion of at least 50 percent of the entire range of bananas in Germany to living wages and incomes by 2025. "In order to achieve long-term improvements and more transparency, national and international players must work together with consistent measures," says Christoph Graf, Head of Purchasing at Lidl in Germany. "We therefore expressly welcome. Consistent Lidl commitment to fair trade in global supply chains Lidl also focuses on other raw materials and products on living incomes and wages for smallholders in the producing countries. The grocer underlines its commitment to fair wages, especially with its 15-year strategic partnership with Fairtrade. Lidl pays the largest number of Fairtrade premiums worldwide for producers in the global south. "By offering Fairtrade-certified products in all branches, Lidl is an important partner for reaching consumers widely and increasing the market share of fair trade goods," explains Dieter Overath, Managing Director of Fairtrade Germany. The "Way to go" project, a milestone in Lidl's commitment to fair incomes, shows what a fair distribution of values ​​can look like in retail. With the Fairtrade-certified "Way to Go" chocolate, the company enables additional income for cocoa farmers in Ghana. Lidl is also involved in the non-food sector and, to date, is the only grocer from Germany to send the important signal by joining the "ACT On Living Wages" initiative to tackle fair wages in textile supply chains even more effectively. ACT is an industry-wide, globally unique agreement with the aim of jointly promoting living wages and collective bargaining in companies in the textile and shoe industry. See here for more: https://www.fruchtportal.de/artikel/pilotprojekt-lidl-setzt-sich-fr-existenzsichernde-lhne-und-einkommen-in-den-erzeugerlndern-von-bananen-ein/052541?i=09558cba

Discount Retail Chain Aldi Belgium (German family owned) is launching a renewed store concept in Belgium, in which the fresh supply will be given an even more prominent place. The changing promotions also receive more attention: the retailer brings the logic of the folder to the shop floor. Responding to customer needs From now on, Aldi welcomes its shoppers at the entrance with a real fresh market. All fresh products are here together: fruit and vegetables, fresh meat, fresh fish and chilled convenience products such as prepackaged salads, fresh fruit juices and other prepared meals and drinks. It is the most striking innovation in the updated store concept that the discounter launched on Wednesday in Herenthout and Jodoigne. The innovation fits in with the evolution that Aldi has started for several years: after all, the retailer is investing heavily in fresh products, for example by adding its own range of prepackaged meat in all stores and by expanding a range of fruit and vegetables in bulk. “People come to the store more often to buy fresh products. We therefore link our furnishing to the needs of our customers,” says sales director Koen Piessens. “In this way, the shopping cart can immediately be filled with what is at the top of the shopping list.” Extend folder in store layout We were given a tour of Herenthout, a spacious and well-arranged store of 1350 m². Shoppers will find the range of fruit and vegetables at the very front, with the fresh promotions playing a leading role. The wall cooler contains pre-packaged vegetables, salads and meals. Further on, five meters of pre-packaged meat, the fish furniture and the bake-off department follow. The cooling against the back wall contains, among other things, the party products, dairy and charcuterie. In the center of the store, in the middle of every shopping aisle, Aldi surprises its shoppers with varying promotions. After all, on top of the 1600 fixed references, the retailer offers variety with a hundred in/out offers: these are the weekly 'specials', the seasonal themes and the promotions on Wednesday and Saturday. Aldi now presents these non-food offers in two courses: one for the Wednesday promotions and one for Saturday. “In this way, we extend the logic of the folder into the store layout.” Thoroughly tested Internally, Aldi speaks of the 'ANIKo 2.0' formula. In terms of look and feel, the concept builds on the makeover launched in 2018, but the layout of the store has been thoroughly changed. “We've moved just about everything.” The new interior was thoroughly and long-term tested in five stores across the country. With good results: from now on all new or renovated stores will therefore receive this fresh concept. By the end of this year, the new store layout will already be on display in ten Aldi stores. Next year, the supermarket chain will further roll out the new store layout with fresh market experience in 36 stores, including five new stores. See here for more: https://www.retaildetail.be/nl/news/food/aldi-lanceert-nieuw-winkelconcept-met-versmarktbeleving