Discounter Lidl GB is tripling the size of its plant-based range of products, following a 12% increase in demand for said products over the past year.
The retailer is rolling out plant-based burgers, sausages, mince and nuggets SKUs to select stores this month, ahead of a national rollout at the start of next year.
The expanded Vemondo Plant! range also includes multiple varieties of tofu, dairy-free yoghurts and cheese, and a selection of deli products and ready meals.
The discounter said that it expects plant-based products to account for 25% of its protein sales (by tonnage) by the end of the decade, a target that supports the shift towards meeting the EAT Lancet Planetary Health Diet 2050 goals.
In addition, by 2030, Lidl GB expects to have doubled its sales of plant-based protein from dairy alternatives, as part of its net zero by 2050 commitments.
'Ensure Balance'
"We know that as a society we need to incorporate more plant-based foods into our diets to ensure balance," commented Richard Bourns, chief commercial officer at Lidl GB. "That’s why we are proudly standing behind the planetary health diet, which is key to achieving a more healthy and sustainable future and supports our net-zero ambitions."
Bourns added that the retailer is the first to set specific plant-based protein targets, "and are committed to breaking down key barriers that currently exist within the category, like price, quality, and availability. [...] Our commitment to sustainable proteins will contribute to significantly reducing our scope 3 CO2 emissions and support a more balanced and sustainable food system for the future.”
Bronze Planet Friendly Award
Lidl GB has been awarded the Bronze Planet Friendly Award by Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) at the Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards in the UK, acknowledging its efforts in promoting animal welfare and sustainability.
In line with its sustainability goals, Lidl has also announced a new five-year strategic partnership with WWF, aiming to provide consumers with more sustainable choices. This collaboration spans 31 countries and aligns with Lidl GB’s previous achievement of becoming the first discount supermarket to sign WWF’s Retailers' Commitment for Nature.
