“We set out to expand fast, open at least 15 stores in 2019. We started the calendar year with 238 stores in our network and so far, we’ve inaugurated 11 more, 2 of which relocations in Husi and Zarnesti. We did not close any stores but relocated or remodeled some (…),” the officials of the retailer say.
Lidl opened 20 stores last year, its fastest expansion rate since 2011 when it entered Romania by buying Plus Discount. At the time it bought more than 100 stores and has since grown to almost 250 discount stores.
The German-held discount store chain is the third most powerful retailer in Romania by sales in 2018, close to 8 billion lei, following a 20% increase over 2017. Growth came from both expansion and the investment in the products sold.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)