Lidl spending €420m on new Munster stores and Cork distribution centre

Trucks poised to leave a Lidl Regional Distribution Centre. Lidl plans to spend €200m developing its new distribution centre at Little Island in Cork. Picture: Neil Michael

Lidl is to spend €420m on major investments across Munster, including €200m on a new regional distribution centre at Little Island in Cork 

The retailer on Friday unveiled plans to open 14 new stores and redevelop 10 existing stores, with the entire 25 developments expected to see employment of 4,500 construction workers.

In the longer term, the store opening and upgrades will see Lidl staffing in Munster increase from 1,300 people to 1,800, including 250 in Cork. The investment was announced at an event at Blackrock Observatory in Cork. Lidl's wider plans will see the retailer open up to 35 additional stores nationwide in a €600m five-year investment programme. 

“Today is about much more than opening new stores. It is a statement of our long-term confidence in Cork, in Munster and in the communities and businesses that have supported Lidl throughout our growth in Ireland," said Lidl Ireland chief executive Robert Ryan.

“This €420m investment will strengthen our infrastructure across the region, create more than 500 permanent jobs and support thousands more during construction. 

"The €306m we are investing in Cork alone reflects the importance of the county to our future. Our contribution here goes well beyond bricks and mortar. We already work with 120 suppliers across Cork, from whom we procured €136m worth of produce last year, and we are enormously proud of the relationships we have built with local businesses, colleagues, and community organisations across the region.”

Since entering Ireland in 2000, Lidl has grown to more than 192 stores, three regional distribution centres, and more than 6,300 direct employees. A further 5,500 jobs are supported through the supemarket giant's supplier and business-partner network.

Taoiseach Michéal Martin and Lidl Ireland chief executive Robert Ryan.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin welcomed the €420m investment in Munster as "a significant commitment to Ireland. Businesses like Lidl play an important role in our economy, creating jobs, supporting local suppliers and making an important contribution to communities right across the country."

The new disribution centre, located in Wallingstown, Little Island, will mark Lidl's fourth in the Republic of Ireland - after Charleville in North Cork, Mullingar, and Newbridge - and the second to be located in Cork. The new centre is anticipated to come on stream by 2030.

Lidl Ireland regional managing director Tara O’Connor said: “For us in Cork, this investment is about turning long-term ambition into something very tangible for the region. Through our new €200 million distribution centre at Little Island, new and redeveloped stores, and 250 additional permanent jobs, we are building the infrastructure and teams that will support Lidl’s growth here for many years to come.

“Cork is already a hugely important part of our business and this next phase will allow us to serve more customers, create new career opportunities and deepen the roots we have built across the county. We are incredibly excited about what this investment will mean for our colleagues, customers and communities right across Cork.”