Lidl has revealed a rapid store opening programme for the start of 2026 that could see it close the narrow gap on struggling Morrisons
11:45, 13 Jan 2026Updated 13:21, 13 Jan 2026
Discount supermarket Lidl is ramping-up an expansion by opening 19 stores in the space of the next eight weeks.
The rapid rollout, equating to one store opening every other day, will create 640 jobs.
German owned Lidl has grown to become the sixth biggest grocery chain in the UK, with a market share of 8.1% according to the latest data from Worldpanel.
It opened its first UK store in 1994, and now has more than 1,000 branches and 14 regional distribution centres across the country, employing over 35,000 people.
The latest store openings range from locations in Calne, Wiltshire, to Brough, Yorkshire. Lidl says that on each opening day, shoppers can get complimentary food sampling as well as some special prizes that are up for grabs.
As well as new stores, the company announced plans to pump £40million into refurbishing more than 70 existing branches, including installing new tills and larger freezers.
Richard Taylor, chief real estate officer at Lidl GB, said: “We’re starting the new year as we mean to go on, with a major investment that reinforces our commitment to delivering the best experience for customers and creating a positive impact for the communities we serve. With this push, we’re set on winning more shoppers across the nation and claiming an even bigger share of the market.”
It comes after Lidl recently announced what it said was a record Christmas, with turnover topping £1.1billion and sales up 10% on last year. Shopper numbers rose 8% year-on-year, it said, and nearly 51 million customers passed through its doors, which was almost four million more than last year.
According to Worldpanel, Lidl’s sales jumped by 10.2% to £2.9billion in the final 12 weeks of last year. An increase in its market share means it is breathing down the next of Morrisons, whose position has slipped to 8.3%. Lidl is still some way off fellow discounter Aldi, whose market share stands at 10.5%. But Aldi’s sales growth slowed to 4.1% in the latest 12 month period measured by Worldpanel.
That said, Aldi was recently named cheapest supermarket in 2025 by consumer champion Which? Aldi was the cheapest supermarket in December for a list of 68 items, with the shop costing £123.60 on average across the month. Lidl came in second, costing just 10p more in December with an average cost of £123.70 for both Lidl Plus members and non-members.
Lidl’s new store openings
- Basildon, Laindon
- Birmingham, Kingstanding
- Brough, Welton Road
- Burntwood
- Calne
- Chester, Caldy Valley Rd
- Dereham
- Havant, Purbrook Way
- Hereford, Belmont Road
- Horley
- Hucknall, Watnall Rd
- London, Stamford Hill
- London, Walworth Road
- Reading, Tilehurst
- Royal Wootton Bassett
- Salisbury, Churchill Way West
- Sandford
- Sutton High Street
- Tring