Virginia grocery shoppers are getting their first taste of Lidl. In June, KBS completed construction of the Lidl at GreenGate in Short Pump, one of the first stores to open in the Richmond market. As a part of the German grocery retailer’s plan to enter the U.S. market, stores have been popping up across Virginia.
In addition to the Short Pump store, KBS has completed construction of the Lidl at Hermitage Road near its intersection with Staples Mill Road. Construction continues for the store on West Broad Street, near Staples Mill Road, and two other stores in Virginia Beach.
“Lidl had an aggressive store rollout in the first phase of openings. We had multiple stores going at the same time, and the project teams were able to complete owner changes and open stores upon Lidl’s request,” said Mark Loving, project manager of the Broad Street locations.
The 36,000-square-foot stores include exposed steel and ducts in the main sales floor and polished concrete throughout the store. An exterior curtainwall encompassing one elevation of the building is comprised of glass, while masonry, cast stone and stucco are featured on the rest of the building.
“Lidl is grocery shopping refreshed, retooled and rethought to make life better for all our customers. From our selection of sustainable products like our certified fresh and frozen seafood to top-quality wines from around the world available at market-beating prices, our team puts extra effort and attention into each product we put on our shelves. When customers shop at Lidl, they will experience less complexity, lower prices, better choices and greater confidence,” said Brendan Proctor, President and CEO of Lidl US.
Lidl offers a simple and efficient approach to grocery shopping, which could mean huge savings for shoppers. When entering stores, shoppers can expect to see a simple layout with only six aisles.
About 90 percent of the high-quality groceries available at Lidl will be exclusive brand products. Several items have already won acclaim in the U.S., including award-winning cheeses recognized in the 2017 Los Angeles International Dairy Competition.
Lidl also offers an ever-changing selection of non-food products each week that will be in stores for a limited time. The selection will include fitness gear, small kitchen appliances, toys and outdoor furniture, among other non-food items.
By next Summer, Lidl plans to open up to 100 stores across the East Coast, creating a total of 5,000 U.S. jobs. Lidl operates about 10,000 stores in 27 countries throughout Europe. The company first established its U.S. headquarters in Arlington County, Va. in June 2015. Since then, it has announced regional headquarters and distribution centers in Spotsylvania County, Va.; Alamance County, N.C. and Cecil County, Md.
