Lidl Italia has launched a new ‘urban' store format in Milan, that places increased focus on sustainability.
The new store, in Milan’s Lorenteggio district, is set across two levels; including a car park with more than 110 parking spaces at ground level, and a 1,400 square metre store on the first floor.
Among the main eco-friendly initiatives of the new store are a photovoltaic system, charging stations for electric or hybrid cars and a rainwater recovery system. The store is also fitted out with LED lighting, that saves up to 50% compared to traditional lighting formats.
All of the energy used by the supermarket comes from renewable sources, Lidl has said.
Product Range
The new store format offers 2,000 SKUs of which more than 80% are sourced from Italian producers.
The director of real estate development of Lidl Italia, Emilia Arduino, said that the new store format is designed for cities, "enhancing the environmental context and minimising the land used”.
With the latest opening, Lidl now operates 109 stores in the Lombardy region, of which 31 are located in Milan. This year, the retailer is planning to invest €350 million to open 40 new supermarkets in Italy, as well as upgrade around 50 existing stores.
As part of its sustainability initiative, Lidl Italia has also teamed up with Rete Banco Alimentare on a program to reduce food waste by donating food products that can no longer be sold according to commercial standards, but are still safe for consumption.
The initiative is currently present in 60 points of sale and will be extended to the over 600 Lidl stores by the end of the year.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine
