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Supermarket News
Lidl: A taste of the future?
Jon Springer Oct 03, 2014

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Shoppers enter (left) and exit (right) along the side of the narrow, rectangular box. SN estimates this unit was somewhere around 10,000 square feet.

Coin Operated

Carts outside a Lidl store are released with a 50-cent Euro coin, which is refunded when the customer returns the cart after shopping.

Bricks Meet Clicks

A sales flier displayed near the store entrance shows items and prices available at Lidl’s online shop. The slogan below roughly translates to “It’s worth it.”

3-Euro Chuck?

Judging by the stock condition, bargain-priced beer and wine are big sellers at Lidl, and are the first items a shopper at this store would encounter. This Italian variety is merchandised in faux-wood crates.

Snack Aisle

Tortilla chips bear the Crusti Croc private brand, merchandised in their shipping carton.

Bake and Take

Beneath a sign that reads “We bake several times a day for you,” customers retrieve breads baked on site. Bakery is the only “service” department in the store.

Apfel a Day

The fresh produce department is considerably smaller than a typical U.S. supermarket and mostly consists of items displayed in their shipping crates.

Chicken Coop

A coffin-type case for prepacked chicken parts, part of a large display of packaged meats. Frischgeflugel is a local chicken supplier.

Bargain bin

The center aisle of the Lidl store is devoted to “in-and-out” deals on apparel, housewares, toys and other non-food items. When SN visited, this was well-picked.

Small Packages

The approach to the checkout area featured several feet of shelving merchandising small items like gum and candy, “travel size” HBA items, and liquor in small bottles. The area also sells plastic shopping bags at 10 cents each; the store does not provide bags or bagging service.

See related story: Lidl CEO confirms U.S. plans, with delay

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