European discounter Lidl GB is set to expand its presence in the UK with the opening of ten new stores ahead of Christmas 2024. The openings will create 400 new jobs.

The expansion will increase access to affordable produce for many households across Great Britain. It will also extend the retailer's reach in key locations from Berwick Green in Bristol to Bovey Tracey in Devon and Stirchley in Birmingham.

Lidl will open three stores in London and its surrounding area, in Hoxton, Forest Gate and Caterham, reinforcing its presence in and around the capital. This follows the opening of a new Fulham store in September 2024.

The company will also reopen three existing stores that have been relocated, refurbished or extended: Chessington, Connah’s Quay and Dagenham Heathway. These revamps aim to provide communities with an improved shopping experience.

Lidl GB chief development officer Richard Taylor said: “Our plan to open ten new stores before Christmas demonstrates our continued commitment to providing more communities across the country with access to affordable, quality food, as well as employment opportunities. But we still have big ambitions for our expansion plans to open hundreds more Lidl stores in the future.”

The announcement comes as Lidl finalises a sale and leaseback agreement with a joint venture (JV) involving Roadside Real Estate and Meadow Partners.

The JV focuses on forward funding of £70m ($90.7m) for the construction of a portfolio of 12 supermarkets which has been let to Lidl GB.

These stores are currently under construction in locations including Crediton, Manchester and Saffron Walden, with completion anticipated between late October 2024 and February 2025.

Taylor added: “Our teams are constantly scouring the country for new sites, identifying opportunities not just in towns where we don’t currently have stores, but also in areas where existing stores are experiencing increasing demand. Our sale and leaseback deal is just the latest example of how we’re continuing to expand our footprint across the country, ensuring that even more households can benefit from a Lidl store nearby.”

Lidl GB employs more than 34,000 people and operates more than 960 stores along with 14 distribution centres across England, Scotland and Wales. The company aims to open 1,100 stores by the end of 2025.

In August 2024, Lidl invested £500m ($626.9m) to bolster the British pork industry.