Discount Retail Chain Lidl Italia (owned by the German Schwarz Group) has reported a 2021 turnover of €5.9 billion (US$6 bn), up +6.9% compared to the previous year, and has announced plans to invest €1.5 billion (US$1.53 bn) by 2024 to open 150 new stores. Currently, the retailer’s network consists of 700 stores in Italy, and the discounter is seeking to reach 1,000 stores by 2030. Part of the investment will be used to expand the retailer’s logistics network, with the construction of new storage facilities in Lombardy and Sicily, in addition to one already under construction in Sardinia.
The announced investments will result in the creation of more than 6,000 new jobs by 2024, the retailer said.
ITALIAN FOOD EXPORTS
Last year, the company’s Italian suppliers exported €2 billion (US$ 2.04 Bn) in products to other Lidl markets, of which fruit and vegetables accounted for more than €550 million (US$560 mn). In fact, Lidl alone accounts for 10% of the total export value of Italian fruit and vegetables.
SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES
According to CEO Massimiliano Silvestri, Lidl Italia is also highly focused on sustainability, significantly reducing the use of plastic for private label packaging, using only energy from renewable sources, and installing photovoltaic panels on 40% of its stores, which supply 50% of its energy needs.
The group is also committed to reducing emissions by -48% by 2030 ,and has a fleet of trucks consisting of 40% biomethane or liquid gas powered vehicles and two electric vehicles.
It plans to continue expanding its fleet of green trucks (to date 30% of the vehicles are powered by sustainable fuels) as well as reduce the carbon footprint in its stores and logistics facilities.
It also plans to continue its commitment to reducing waste through its collaboration with Banco Alimentare, which in four years of activity has resulted in the collection of more than 26,000 tons of goods, equal to around 52 million meals.
Lidl Italia has also presented a study according to which it generated an overall impact on Italian GDP of about €3.5 billion (US$ 3.56Bn) in 2020.
See here for more: https://news.italianfood.net/2022/07/07/lidl-italia-to-open-150-new-stores-by-2024/?utm_source=newsletter
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