Lidl Switzerland opened 16 new outlets in 2019, as well as upping its investment in clean energy and introducing new sustainability measures.
Since arriving in Switzerland in 2009, it has invested almost CHF 1.2 billion (€1.1 billion) in construction and expansion projects.
New Stores
The discounter took its total store network to over 120 last year, with the opening of new stores in Soletta, Bern (2), Niederlenz, Aarau, Lausanne (2), Burgdorf, Le Mont, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Cham, Balerna, Biel, Zürich (2) and Spreitenbach.
Last year also saw the commencement of operations of the first two liquefied natural gas filling stations in Switzerland, for which the retailer won the 'Swiss Logistics Award' and the 'Hanse Globe Award'.
Lidl Switzerland has set itself the goal of supplying all Swiss subsidiaries with fossil fuel-free energy by 2030, launching the first field trials with liquefied, fossil-free biogas (bio-LNG) in June.
In 2019, Lidl Switzerland also entered the Swiss mobile telephony market, launching the Lidl Connect brand, and offering the first mobile phone subscription in the discount sector, in cooperation with Salt.
Sustainability
In the framework of its cooperation with WWF Switzerland, the retailer achieved several sustainability goals, including 100% certified bananas, mangoes, pineapples, passion fruit and overseas melons (Fairtrade, Bio, UTZ or Rainforest Alliance) and 100% certified coffee in private label products.
It reduced or eliminated certain packaging, as part of its target of reducing plastic in private label packaging by 20% by 2025, as well as redesigning its private label packaging so that it is 100% recyclable.
At the end of 2019, Lidl Switzerland ceased the sale of disposable plastic items such as straws, glasses and small glasses, plates, cutlery and cotton buds with a plastic stem, replacing them with products made of alternative, recyclable materials.
It also further expanded its organic range and increased its share of alternative plant-based products.
Finally, for the fifth year in a row, Lidl Switzerland was elected 'Retailer of the Year' in Switzerland, as well as being acknowledged as a a 'Great Place To Work'.
© 2020 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
