One of the UK’s leading supermarkets is set to create hundreds of new jobs after investing over £400 million in its logistics infrastructure, which sees the development of a new warehouse
Lidl is set to create over 500 new jobs as part of a £435 million investment in its logistics infrastructure, which includes the completion of a major expansion of its London site and the building of a new warehouse in Leeds.
The German-owned chain confirmed that it had completed a £285 million expansion project at Belvedere in London, which saw it triple its capacity by adding a second building. It is expected to serve 120 stores once in operation.
At the same time, the supermarket commenced a £150 development of the Leeds warehouse. Together, these developments are expected to generate more than 500 new roles, with 120 positions in London and 400 in Leeds.
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The move appears to come as part of Lidl’s accelerated growth in the UK’s grocery market, as it currently stands as the country’s sixth-largest chain, according to Kantar research. However, the store has edged closer to taking Morrison’s fifth place ranking.
The retail company has more than 980 stores and 14 distribution centres in England, Scotland and Wales, in addition to thousands in countries across Europe.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said Lidl’s investment in the warehouses was a “vote of confidence” in the UK.
She said: “This investment is a strong vote of confidence in the UK economy, and Lidl’s commitment to new warehouse facilities in London and Leeds will unlock hundreds of new jobs, strengthen supply chains, and ensure families can access affordable, quality food.”
Meanwhile, Richard Taylor, Lidl’s chief real estate officer for Great Britain, said the chain was “proud to play our role in driving economic growth”.
Lidl was among a group of Britain’s biggest retailers, which included Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Boots, to sign an open letter addressed to Ms Reeves, warning that raising taxes in the autumn budget could contradict her plans to improve UK living standards.
The letter, signed by more than 60 Chief Executives and sent by trade body British Retail Consortium, said it was becoming “more and more challenging for us to absorb the cost pressures we face”.
The Treasury responded by saying it was a “pro-business Government”. Another supermarket which has plans to expand in the UK is Aldi, which is set to open a new store every week for the remainder of 2025.
The discount supermarket has revealed the locations of its upcoming stores, which include Fulham Broadway and Shoreditch in London, Retail Gazette reported.
The chain will also open new branches in Eastbourne in East Sussex, Waterbrook in Kent, Meadowfield in Durham, Deeside and Treharris in Wales, and Market Harborough in Leicestershire.