Keeping the composition of the product range in mind: Together with WWF, Lidl analyzes the ratio of plant-based to animal-based protein sources in its product range. This helps make trends visible and allows us to systematically expand our offering of plant-rich foods step by step.
At the supermarket shelf, the choice is ours: oat drink or cow's milk, nuts or sausage, lentils or minced meat. One thing is clear: plant-based alternatives help us eat more balanced. In addition, they require less agricultural land on global average and generate lower CO2 emissions than the production of animal-based products This aligns perfectly with our "Conscious Nutrition" strategy and the recommendations of the Planetary Health Diet, which advocates for more plant-based foods and a moderate consumption of animal products.
Daily purchasing decisions play a role in shaping how product ranges evolve. To make it easier for our customers to choose plant-based alternatives, we are working to increase the proportion of plant-based protein sources in our assortment - spanning standard and promotional items, as well as own-brand and branded products, in over 30 Lidl countries.
To achieve this goal, we regularly analyze the composition and sales shares of our product range, specifically focusing on the "protein split" - the distribution of plant-based versus animal-based protein sources. We measure and evaluate this ratio internationally and across all food categories using the recognized methodology of our partner WWF.
"Transparency is the prerequisite for targeted assortment development. The protein split allows us to take a holistic view of our product range and evolve it in a future-proof way - with a stronger focus on fruit, vegetables, pulses, nuts, and whole-grain products."
These insights flow directly into the further development of our assortment, allowing us to expand plant-rich options and increase whole-grain content on the shelves. After all, plant-based protein sources such as pulses, nuts and seeds are nutritionally valuable. They provide high-quality plant protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals—usually with a lower agricultural resource intensity than animal products.
