Lidl

[retailisking]

In the clearest indication yet of their intent to establish a US retail presence, Lidl purchases an office building in Arlington, Virginia
http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/breaking_ground/2015/04/international-discount-grocer-lidl-to-establish.html

[store215]

Hm that's surprising as they are strikingly similar to Aldi. I wonder what their plan is for the U.S....

[Pikapower]

Doesn't Lidl own the Aldi's brand?

[buzz86us]

would be nice for Aldi to have a bit of competition

[MikeRa]

Doesn't Lidl own the Aldi's brand?

Aldi (AKA Aldi Nord/Aldi Süd) is privately owned.

[ynkeesfn82]

would be nice for Aldi to have a bit of competition

They're Aldi's main competitor in Germany.

And if you believe Wikipedia, which no one should use as a source for anything it says that LIDL will be opening stores in the USA by 2018.

[buzz86us]

wow in 3 years between Aldi, PriceRite and SaveAlot things are really gonna heat up! (although I don't get food at Save-A-Lot)

[TheFugitive]

Lidl is dangerously close to being an anagram for Aldi.

[retailisking]

Lidl has confirmed speculation that it plans to establish a presence in the US
http://supermarketnews.com/retail-financial/lidl-confirms-us-expansion

[retailisking]

http://www.roanoke.com/business/news/christiansburg/lidl-grocery-chain-files-plans-for-christiansburg-store/article_3bbcace2-8a0d-5e47-8f77-75c7ff998bb2.html

[retailisking]

http://www.theshelbyreport.com/2016/09/27/lidl-breaks-ground-on-wake-forest-north-carolina-store/

[giantsfan2016]

6 things to know about Lidl.

http://www.clark.com/6-things-to-know-about-new-discount-grocer-lidl

[retailisking]

The German invasion continues
http://supermarketnews.com/store-design-construction/lidl-seeking-sites-texas

[retailisking]

Lidl is actively pursuing sites in New Jersey
http://www.theshelbyreport.com/2017/01/21/lidl-new-jersey/

[Retail Fan+ (Justin Hill)]

I know Lidl is opening soon in the East Coast. I hope that New England and the Midwest are next. They could open stores in the food deserts (areas lacking a grocery store of any kind) in many cities and suburbs across the United States.

[retailisking]

I know Lidl is opening soon in the East Coast. I hope that New England and the Midwest are next. They could open stores in the food deserts (areas lacking a grocery store of any kind) in many cities and suburbs across the United States.

It doesn't strike me that Lidl is at all interested in that market; they are more interested in going after the Trader Joe's and Whole Foods demographic as well as those upper demos who are "trading down" to the newer, nicer Aldi stores.

[retailisking]

http://www.supermarketnews.com/store-design-construction/lidl-first-20-us-stores-open-summer

[retailisking]

I have to say I'm a little disappointed that they backed away from their bold design scheme, but market acceptance is job #1
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2017/02/15/a-first-look-at-how-german-grocer-lidl-plans-to-conquer-the-u-s-market

[retailisking]

http://www.supermarketnews.com/retail-financial/lidl-confirms-ohio-future-growth-plans

[TheFugitive]

That would be a smart move IMHO.   Aldi stores here are booming.
Bottom Dollar did extremely well in this market while they were around.

Giant Eagle developed something of a monopoly, and customers are
literally "hungry" for food shopping alternatives here.

[retailisking]

Giant Eagle developed something of a monopoly, and customers are
literally "hungry" for food shopping alternatives here.

Even Giant Eagle couldn't make a go of it in the discount grocery arena. I imagine Grocery Outlet Bargain Market is doing pretty well out there.

[TheFugitive]

I do not know of any Grocery Outlet Bargain Market locations in the Pittsburgh area.

[retailisking]

I do not know of any Grocery Outlet Bargain Market locations in the Pittsburgh area.

You're right- they're more in the Lancaster area and thereabouts.

[giantsfan2016]

Lidl's first 8 stores are opening next week with a total of 80 opening within the next 12 months.

http://clark.com/shopping-retail/food-restaurants/6-things-to-know-about-new-discount-grocer-lidl/

[retailisking]

Anecdotal evidence suggests that many of the stores already open have very low sales and traffic counts. Lidl may be in it for the long haul, but it's going to be an uphill battle.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/neilstern/2017/09/28/lidl-reshuffles-u-s-management-supervision-move-suggesting-challenges-here-in-the-u-s/#3ce2969b2646

[jason83080]

Even Giant Eagle couldn't make a go of it in the discount grocery arena. I imagine Grocery Outlet Bargain Market is doing pretty well out there.

The major problems with Good Cents were:

1. Placing the stores within a stone's throw of the main Giant Eagle stores. Yes, reusing vacant real estate (Parmatown) was a nice touch, but...

2. The prices really weren't THAT much lower than they were at the main stores. If you're going to force people to get a card just to shop there, the prices should be rock-bottom, like Aldi or Save-a-Lot, not "25c cheaper than if you go next door."

3. Good Cents could have surveyed some markets in and around Cleveland to see where they could have put stores to fill in the gaps where, say, it's a bit of a hike to get to the grocery store. Giant Eagle has a monopoly in the Greater Cleveland market - Tops left in 2006, Kroger left in the late '80s, Rini Rego was bought out by GE - and, personally, I'd welcome any good competition. I can't really count Walmart, because their main focus isn't food. In terms of just grocery stores, we have Heinen's (on the higher end) and Aldi/Save-a-Lot on the other end (Aldi in newer buildings, Save-a-Lot in older buildings). Any place new to shop for groceries would be a welcome change.

4. It tried to be Save-a-Lot while, as I alluded to in #2, keeping what was essentially Giant Eagle's prices. Oh, and their coolers weren't THAT cold, so you'd better have lived close to the store, because your frozens were probably going to be thawed out by the time you got home. But, they did sell cheese!

It could have been something great, but it was deservingly killed off. I'd love to see Lidl swoop in, swallow up old grocery stores, and establish a presence here. However, if they're going to cater to the upper-crust crowd, it won't benefit a good chunk of our region, since the money's concentrated on the East side. Heck, I'm surprised Fresh Thyme is opening up in Westlake. Then again, it's right next to Crocker Park, so it might as well be IN Crocker Park.

[giantsfan2016]

Lidl is opening in Vineland, NJ on Thursday November 16th.

http://www.thedailyjournal.com/story/news/2017/11/10/lidl-grand-opening-set-thursday/853448001/

[silvfx66]

Also opening today in Raleigh NC. Hope get their this weekend.

[retailisking]

Yet another sign of trouble for the German giant's US venture
https://www.fooddive.com/news/grocery--lidl-halts-construction-on-new-jersey-store/512707/

[retailisking]

https://www.philly.com/real-estate/commercial/lidl-roosevelt-boulevard-racp-pennsylvania-philadelphia-redevelopment-20190312.html