The chief executive of Lidl Portugal has announced that the retailer will invest €100 million this year in its operations, representing an increase of over 40%, when compared to 2017.
Speaking at a press conference in Lidl Portugal’s HQ, at Linhó, near Sintra, last week, Massimiliano Silvestri said that the amount includes the opening of “a handful of stores” – namely in the areas of Greater Lisbon, Porto and Algarve – and investment in two warehouses.
Work on expanding and modernising the Torres Novas warehouse (from 30,000 to 40,000 square metres) will commence after the summer and require an investment of around €20 million.
Construction work on the warehouse in Santo Tirso (50,000 square metres) will also start this year, replacing the warehouse in Famalicão, for an investment of €70 million.
"Positive" 2017
According to Silvestri, 2017 was "a positive year", with Lidl Portugal registering "double-digit growth" in value, while the market share of the retailer reached 8.6%, compared to 8.2% in 2016.
Last year, Lidl Portugal exported 203 Portuguese SKUs to its European store network, amounting to a total export value of €100 million (+40% year on year). Pear was the flagship product, contributing 10% to the national fruit exports, while other major exports included olive oil, wine and vegetables.
More than 50% of the assortment in the 250 Lidl Portugal stores is of national origin, with fruits and vegetables (70% is locally produced) and meat (100% locally produced) accounting for the highest percentage.
Last year, the German supermarket chain invested €70 million in Portugal for the opening and remodelling of 13 stores. Since arriving in Portugal 23 years ago, Lidl has invested around €1 billion.
Discounters Aldi and Lidl were elected the 'most dynamic and attractive stores' in Portugal last year, according to the latest edition of the Brands + Consumers Barometer, published by the Portuguese brand association Centromarca in partnership with Kantar Worldpanel.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
