Our history
Success story
From the first store to a global player
Since 1973, Lidl has defined the quality discount sector, standing for value-conscious shopping. However, the company’s history goes back much further – to the Schwarz merchant family in the 18th century.
The beginning in Heilbronn
With the merger of the fruit and colonial goods business “A. Lidl & Comp.” and the food wholesale business of Josef Schwarz, Lidl & Schwarz KG is founded – laying the foundation for what is now our company.
The first Lidl store opens
In Ludwigshafen-Mundenheim, the first Lidl store opens its doors – at the time still with a blue-red-white logo. In the same year, stores follow in Schwäbisch Gmünd and Kornwestheim.
Start of expansion across Germany
We continue to grow: with the opening of a store in Dortmund-Wickede, we leave our home region and begin expanding across Germany.
Lidl goes international
Bonjour France! With the opening of our first store in Sarreguemines, France, we expand abroad – gaining new customers beyond the border.
Expansion into the new federal states
After the fall of the Berlin Wall, we act quickly: with temporary sales in tents and sports halls, we bring a diverse, simple and affordable shopping experience to people in the new federal states.
The 1,000th store
In Wendlingen, Swabia, we celebrate a major milestone: the opening of our 1,000th store.
A revolution at the checkout
Even faster and more efficient shopping: as one of the first discounters, we introduce barcode scanners at checkout, simplifying both the payment process and overall store operations.
Lidl goes online
At www.lidl.de, our current in-store offers are now available online for the first time – a clear sign that we move with the times and drive innovation.
The Lidl online shop launches in Germany
Customers can conveniently order our non-food products online.
Retailer of the Year for the first time
Our customers in Germany vote us Retailer of the Year – an award we have now received 17 times in a row. We have also received numerous awards in many other Lidl countries over the years.
Lidl rocks!
At the Greenfield Festival in Switzerland, people celebrate our first festival store. Its success leads us to expand the concept to festivals in other countries, where we provide fans with everything they need – at the usual low prices.
Our first sustainability report
Lidl Netherlands publishes its first sustainability report in accordance with the international GRI standard (Global Reporting Initiative).
10,000 stores across Europe
We surpass the 10,000-store mark in Europe, demonstrating that our model of efficiency, quality and price awareness is successful across the continent.
The Lidl Plus app launches
In Zaragoza (Spain), we test our new customer app for the first time. The Lidl Plus app connects the digital world with physical retail and is now available in all European Lidl countries with stores. It combines basic information such as store finder, opening hours and digital leaflets, offers additional benefits like coupons and discounts, and makes shopping easier with digital receipts and the Lidl Pay function.
Lidl goes USA
Following our success in Europe, we take the next step and open our first stores on the US East Coast – another milestone on the path to a global business model.
Fresh Food Partner of international handball
With the IHF Men’s World Championships 2017, our international handball sponsorship begins: as Official Fresh Food Partner, we promote conscious nutrition and a more active lifestyle. As a reliable partner, we continue to support numerous international handball tournaments, including the Men’s and Women’s EHF EUROs through 2028.
First store with largely COâ‚‚-neutral operations
In the Netherlands, we open “Lidl Zero”, a store designed for energy- and CO₂-neutral operations. Solar panels installed on the store roof and carports generate electricity, covering a significant share of the energy demand, for example for air conditioning, refrigeration and lighting.
First international CSR strategy
With the publication of our first international CSR strategy, we define short- and long-term sustainability goals for all Lidl countries for the first time. Our current sustainability report shows how we take responsibility and achieve measurable results.
Vemondo – more than just an alternative
In response to growing demand for plant-based food, we introduce our vegan private label Vemondo in Germany. Since then, we have continuously expanded the range, providing our customers with attractive alternatives to meat, dairy and fish products.
Own shipping line
With the founding of Tailwind Shipping Lines, we operate our own container ships and optimize our international transport routes. We rely on smaller container vessels and less congested ports – for more resilient supply chains.
Official partner of the European Qualifiers and UEFA EURO 2024â„¢
We further expand our sports sponsorship and become an official partner of UEFA EURO 2024™, the men’s European Football Championship. In the following year, we also support the UEFA Women’s EURO™ 2025 as an official partner. With these major events, we highlight the importance of fruit and vegetables as part of a conscious diet, as well as the role of sport and physical activity in a healthy lifestyle.
Lidl-Trek: partnership in cycling
We are the main sponsor of Lidl-Trek, one of the leading teams in international cycling. Our journey began with two of the sport’s most prestigious races: the 2023 Giro d’Italia Women and the 2023 Tour de France. Together, we are building a global cycling team that excites and inspires both fans and riders of all levels. Beyond athletic success, our focus is on holistic health through physical activity and conscious nutrition.
Majority owner of Lidl-Trek
Lidl becomes the majority owner of Lidl-Trek. With this step, Lidl makes a long-term commitment to the sporting and structural development of its cycling team. The ambitious goal: to become the most successful team in international road cycling.
