Lidl Posts Strong Sales Growth and Increased Customer Visits

• Lidl GB reached record market share for the financial year ended 28th February 2026, recording 43 million more customer visits1.
  
  
• Turnover rose 10.8% to £13 billion and operating profit also increased to £345 million2, fueling the discounter’s expansion drive during the current financial year where it will open more than 50 new stores. 
  
  
• Shopper footfall drove a 486 million product volume increase, fueled by significant growth across key categories - including fresh meat, fruit, and veg - alongside a 12% rise in sales of its Deluxe range3.
  
  
• Maintaining its sector-leading status on colleague pay, Lidl invested over £59 million in pay increases last year4, alongside enhanced benefits including doubled paternity leave.

Lidl GB welcomed an additional 43 million customer visits last year thanks to strategic investments in price, store expansion and digital innovation, it has revealed in its latest financial results published today.

Growth in customer numbers and strong demand for the discounter’s high quality, great value product range contributed to double-digit revenue growth of +10.8% to £13 billion (FY25: £11.7bn) and operating profit also increased to £345 million (FY25: £314m).

Higher customer footfall drove a 486 million product volume increase, with significant growth across all key categories - such as meat, poultry, fruit and vegetables - alongside a 12% boost in Deluxe range sales. The launch of its new 'More to Value' brand platform during the period further accelerated the discounter’s growth, while the supermarket experienced over £650m in direct switching from competitors.5

To keep prices low for customers, Lidl invested £315 million during the period through price cuts and promotions such as 'Pick of the Week'⁶. Ongoing investment in Lidl Plus also drove footfall and sparked a 23% surge in users year-on-year⁷. Lidl Plus innovation remains a key focus in 2026 with a significant increase in investment - including a 60% boost in funding for personalised coupons and the roll out of Lidl & Go. Reinforcing its value proposition, Lidl was recently crowned the cheapest supermarket in The Grocer’s 'Super Grocer 33' analysis, beating all major supermarkets⁸."

Alongside reaching its 1,000th store milestone last year, Lidl GB continued to transform the shopping experience across its existing estate. The discounter opened over 40 new stores while investing £43 million in upgrades to more than 70 current sites⁹ - listening to customers to roll out store remerchandising, expanded freezers, self-checkouts, and energy-efficient lighting and chillers. Looking ahead, its rapid expansion continues with more than 50 new stores opening in this financial year as part of a £600 million investment10. 

Continuing to reward its workforce, Lidl GB invested an additional £59 million in colleague pay to maintain its status as a sector-leading employer last year. Alongside pay, the discounter also doubled its paternity leave from two to four weeks’ full pay. After five years of service, colleagues will be entitled to eight weeks’ full pay, making it one of the most competitive paternity leave offers in the industry. 

Lidl GB remains committed to backing British producers, increasing its spend with local suppliers by £400 million year-on-year11. Fresh meat and poultry suppliers saw the highest spend increase (+15%)12. Currently, around two-thirds of the discounter’s products are from British suppliers, including 100% of its everyday own-label beef, pork, chicken, milk, butter, cream, and eggs. Further demonstrating its long-term support, Lidl GB has announced a £30 billion sourcing commitment to the British food and farming industry over the next five years13.

Ryan McDonnell, Lidl GB CEO, commented: "Our performance is a clear testament to the trust that millions of customers place in us every week as a direct result of the dedication of our colleagues right across the country. 

“As we grow, our focus doesn't shift - we're constantly investing in low prices, high quality, and maximum value for our customers.”

Lidl GB became the UK’s fifth-largest supermarket in May 202614, with three in five households now shopping at the discounter15. It has remained the fastest-growing bricks-and-mortar retailer for more than three years16.

Source : Lidl

Image : Lidl

For all the very latest news and intelligence on the UK's largest home improvement and garden retailers, sign up for the Insight DIY newsletter.  

1 Lidl GB y/e 28 February 2026
2 Lidl GB y/e 28 February 2026
3 Lidl GB y/e 28 February 2026
4 Lidl GB y/e 28 February 2026
5 Worldpanel by Numerator - FMCG Panel, Total Grocery, 52 w/e 22nd February vs YA - Value Switching
6 Lidl GB y/e 28 February 2026
7 Lidl GB y/e 28 February 2026 
8 Super Grocer 33, 10th July 2026
9 LIDL GB PLANS TO INVEST OVER £40M IN MODERNISATIONS
10 LIDL GB ANNOUNCES AMBITIOUS EXPANSION PLANS WITH OVER 50 NEW STORES SET TO OPEN IN NEXT 12 MONTHS
11 Lidl GB y/e 28 February 2026
12 Lidl GB y/e 28 February 2026
13 LIDL GB COMMITS £30 BILLION TO STRENGTHEN BRITISH FOOD INDUSTRY OVER NEXT FIVE YEARS
14 Worldpanel by Numerator, Till Roll – Lidl, 12 w/e 17th May 2026, Spend Share of total Grocers
15 Worldpanel by Numerator, FMCG Panel - Lidl, 52 w/e 6th September 2026, Shoppers
16 Worldpanel by Numerator, Till Roll – Grocers, 12 w/e 6th September 2026, Spend vs YA