Lidl offers £22.5k to scout new stores as part of UK growth plan  

Lidl GB, part of Germany's Schwarz retail group, currently trades from about 920 UK stores. It does not trade online.

German-owned discounter Lidl will pay members of the British public who identify previously undiscovered sites for new stores that can help the retailer reach its target of 1,100 UK outlets by the end of 2025.

Britain's sixth-largest grocer said the fee would be either 1.5% of the total freehold purchase price or 10% of the first year’s rent for leaseholds, which would equate to £22,500 (€26,720) for a completed £1.5m site purchase.

"Our finder’s fees are... available to absolutely anyone who can identify a viable option for a new store that we’re not already aware of, and we welcome any suitable suggestions," said Richard Taylor, Lidl GB's chief development officer.

The group has published its annual brochure detailing locations where it is interested in acquiring sites for potential stores.

Lidl GB, part of Germany's Schwarz retail group, currently trades from about 920 UK stores. It does not trade online.

Unlike the so-called Big Four in Britain — market leader Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, and Morrisons — Lidl GB and fellow discounter Aldi are expanding aggressively.

Lidl GB is investing £1.3bn over 2021 and 2022 as it extends its reach across Britain.

Monthly industry data published on Tuesday showed that Aldi and Lidl are the fastest-growing UK grocers at a time when a cost of living crisis is hitting households. 

Over the 12 weeks to April 17 more than 1m extra shoppers visited Aldi and Lidl than in the same period last year, said market researcher Kantar. 

• Reuters