The GVA was delivered through its operations and supply chain in the financial year 2024 alone, Lidl said.
The discounter, which coined it as ‘the Lidl Effect’, said the GVA included the economic benefits driven by Lidl via its operations, investments and employment.
For example, Lidl is a significant taxpayer and in FY24 paid over £1 billion in tax which contributes towards public services, such as the NHS, education, transport and state pensions.
The report also highlighted that for every £1 of direct value created by Lidl GB, its British suppliers generated an additional £7, with a further £2 added across the wider value chain.
Included in the calculations is Lidl’s £5.8 billion investment into British food in 2024, with over two-thirds of the discounters’ products sourced from British suppliers.
In this way, Lidl has helped its suppliers to grow in order to build long-term and sustainable relationships. Through its direct operations and wider supply network, Lidl also supports 281,813 jobs both directly and indirectly in Britain from farm to factory.
Ryan McDonnell, CEO of Lidl GB, said: “We’re incredibly proud of the socio-economic impact that our operations bring to communities in Great Britain. Given that we’re on track to open hundreds more stores across the country, we’re encouraged by the numbers reflected in this report because they demonstrate our tangible contribution to the British economy as a whole.
“Cutting the ribbon on our 1,000th store is a milestone moment for us as we celebrate not just another new Lidl, but the meaningful impact it will have. We know there are still many communities which could benefit from the Lidl Effect so we remain laser focused on delivering that through our ambitious growth plans.”
Business secretary, Peter Kyle, said: “It’s brilliant to see a retailer like Lidl thriving in the UK, opening new stores, supporting a quarter of a million jobs and delivering billions for our economy. This milestone shows the confidence businesses have in our plan for growth, and I’m excited to see more opportunities like this open up in communities across the country.”
The inaugural report comes as Lidl marks the opening of its 1,000th store in GB at East Grinstead.
Lidl has invested £478 million in the development of new stores and distribution centres in 2024, and renewing that investment, with £500 million planned for its expansion plans this year.
Over the next five years, Lidl said it intends to double its original sourcing investment into British suppliers, to the value of £30 billion.
Plus, through its nationwide schools’ programme Lidl Foodies, over 250,000 primary school children will learn the importance of healthy, sustainable eating. Now in its second year, the initiative represents an investment of £650,000 over two years.
