Sponsored By

Lidl readies second wave of Long Island stores

Expansion to grow footprint in lucrative metro N.Y. market

Russell Redman

October 15, 2019

3 Min Read
Lidl_US_store_Exterior_0719.jpg
Lidl US

By next summer, deep-discount grocer Lidl US plans to open four more stores on Long Island, a lucrative segment of the densely populated metropolitan New York market.

Arlington, Va.-based Lidl US said Tuesday that stores are slated to open in East Meadow, Oakdale, Patchogue and Lake Grove, N.Y., bringing the total number of announced openings on Long Island to eight, including two in Nassau County and six in Suffolk County.

The new stores stem from Lidl’s acquisition of 27 Best Market stores — including 24 on Long Island, two in New York City (Astoria and Harlem) and one in Holmdel, N.J. — last November. The transaction closed in early 2019.

At the end of April, Lidl unveiled the first Long Island store openings, earmarked for early 2020. They include brand-new stores in Plainview and Center Moriches and converted Best Market stores in Huntington and Babylon. The Plainview Lidl will replace a small Best Market store in Hicksville that was closed last month.

“We appreciate all the support we have received across Long Island as we prepare to open our first Lidl food markets in the region,” Lidl US President and CEO Johannes Fieber said in a statement. “Our teams are working hard to get ready and cannot wait to introduce shoppers to Lidl’s award-winning shopping experience. Lidl food markets will bring fresh choices, convenient shopping and bigger savings to shoppers across Long Island.”

Related:Lidl targets East Coast for 25 new stores

The East Meadow, Oakdale, Patchogue and Lake Grove stores are currently Best Market locations that will be converted to the Lidl banner. Of the two new Lidl stores slated for Long Island, the Plainview location will occupy a former ShopRite site, while the Center Moriches location will take over a former Waldbaum’s space. Best Market already had planned to open stores in both spots before its acquisition by Lidl.

“I am pleased to welcome Lidl into our community,” New York State Assemblyman Andrew Garbarino stated. “Lidl has established a unique approach to grocery that will enhance the experience for Long Islanders. With an attractive store model and streamlined processes, Lidl will bring efficiency for shoppers and greater wages and benefits to its team members.”

When initially announcing its plans for the region, Germany-based Lidl noted that it will “invest heavily in Long Island” and use local contractors for the Best Market store remodels. On Tuesday, Lidl said all Long Island full- and part-time store employees will receive full medical benefits, and the starting minimum wage for store associates will be $15 per hour, $3 more per hour than the required minimum on Long Island.

Related:Analysis: Lidl poised to disrupt metro New York grocery market

“I am excited for Lidl’s expansion to Long Island,” New York State Sen. Phil Boyle said in a statement. “Lidl will provide excellent customer service and great savings. From their philanthropic work to their commitment to employees, I proudly welcome Lidl to our community.”

A Lidl US spokesman previously told Supermarket News that the hard-discount grocer expects to convert the Best Market stores to its banner over the next two to three years.

The Long Island locations are part of an East Coast expansion plan that Lidl US revealed in mid-May. The company aims to open 25 new stores in Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia by next spring. Including those openings, the retailer expects to surpass the 100-store mark in the United States by the end of 2020, with locations in nine states. The expansion is expected to create over 1,000 new jobs.

In the U.S., Lidl operates more than 70 stores in Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

Stay up-to-date on the latest food retail news and trends
Subscribe to free eNewsletters from Supermarket News

You May Also Like