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Lidl targets East Coast for 25 new stores

Hard-discount grocer to grow to 100 U.S. locations in 2020

Russell Redman

May 17, 2019

2 Min Read
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In the wake of an acquisition planting itself firmly in metropolitan New York, Lidl US has unveiled an East Coast expansion strategy calling for 25 new stores.

The hard-discount supermarket chain said Friday that it plans to open the new stores in Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia by next spring. Including that expansion, the company expects to top the 100-store mark in the United States by the end of 2020, with locations in nine states.

“We are committed to long-term growth in the United States and always strive to locate in the most convenient locations for our shoppers,” Johannes Fieber, CEO of Arlington, Va.-based Lidl US, said in a statement. “These new stores are part of the next steps in our U.S. expansion.”

The upcoming locations, expected to create more than 1,000 new jobs, include seven stores in Maryland, six in North Carolina, four in Pennsylvania, four in New York, two in New Jersey and one apiece in South Carolina and Virginia.

This summer, Lidl also plans to shut two stores in Rockingham and Kinston, N.C. The company said employees will be offered the opportunity to relocate and work at stores in other areas. Earlier this week, the retailer announced a hiring event to fill 100 new positions at its regional headquarters and distribution center in Alamance County, N.C.

Related:Lidl to pilot home delivery with Boxed.com

Currently, Germany-based Lidl operates more than 65 U.S. stores in Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York.

“Over the next year, we are excited to introduce more customers to Lidl’s award-winning quality, reliably low prices and convenient shopping experience,” Fieber stated.

Of the 25 stores slated to be opened, four are in Long Island, N.Y. Those locations, due to open in early 2020, will include the first converted stores from Lidl’s acquisition of community grocer Best Markets.

Under the deal, which closed earlier this year, Lidl purchased 27 Best Market stores, including 24 on Long Island, two in New York City (Astoria and Harlem) and one in Holmdel, N.J. The first Long Island locations will include brand-new stores in Plainview and Center Moriches and converted Best Market stores in Huntington and Babylon.

Lidl said in late April the four stores would mark “the first of several waves of openings on Long Island.” A Lidl US spokesman previously told Supermarket News that the company expects to migrate the Best Market stores to its banner over the next two to three years.

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

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