Two new Lidl stores will open in Brough and Burntwood this January. The launches form part of a larger plan that will see 19 new supermarkets rolled out across England in the next eight weeks.
Discount retailer Lidl has announced the next steps in its expansion across the UK, confirming two new store openings this month. Branches in Brough, East Riding of Yorkshire, and Burntwood, Staffordshire, will welcome customers on 15 January and 22 January respectively.
The openings are part of a broader nationwide effort to increase Lidl’s presence in England, with 19 new stores scheduled to open within the first two months of 2026. The announcement comes as the supermarket continues to compete for a greater share of the market, alongside rivals Aldi and M&S.
Store Openings Signal Start of Lidl’s Busiest Expansion Phase in Recent Years
Lidl’s January openings in Brough and Burntwood are the first in a series of 19 new stores expected to launch in England over the course of eight weeks. According to a statement from the company, stores will be spread across locations from Yorkshire to Dorset, with each branch expected to open roughly every two days.
The Brough branch will open on Monday, 15 January, while Burntwood’s store is set to launch a week later, on 22 January. Both branches are designed to cater to growing demand in their respective regions and will reflect the supermarket’s wider approach to store development.
The company is simultaneously investing £43 million into upgrading more than 70 existing branches, with improvements ranging from new tills and expanded freezer sections to upgraded chillers and smart lighting technology designed to reduce energy consumption. According to Lidl, this renovation programme is part of a commitment to improving the customer shopping experience while introducing more environmentally efficient infrastructure.
Speaking about the expansion, Richard Taylor, Chief Real Estate Officer at Lidl GB, said: “With this push, we’re set on winning more shoppers across the nation and claiming an even bigger share of the market.” According to figures from Worldpanel, Lidl gained 0.5 percentage points in market share over the 12 weeks to 28 December, bringing its total share to 7.8%, with a sales growth rate of 10%.
Competition Intensifies as Supermarkets Vie for Market Share amid Rising Food Costs
The timing of Lidl’s expansion coincides with a broader surge in competition among UK supermarkets, particularly in the wake of rising food inflation and ongoing cost-of-living pressures. Marks & Spencer has also increased its activity in the sector, announcing an expansion of its value food range and an effort to compete with traditional budget retailers.
According to Worldpanel, M&S saw grocery sales increase by 7.2% in the 12 weeks to late December compared to the same period a year earlier. The company claims to be the fastest-growing supermarket among family shoppers, based on till receipt data, and has doubled the size of its “Remarksable Value” range since 2023.
The British Retail Consortium reports that food inflation rose to 3.3% in December, up from 3% in November, significantly outpacing overall shop price inflation, which stood at 0.7%. These figures highlight why competition between supermarket chains remains fierce, as retailers work to provide greater value to customers struggling with rising costs.
A Lidl spokesperson confirmed that customers visiting the new branches on opening day will be able to enjoy free food samples and take part in prize giveaways, adding that the expansion signals the start of what the company hopes will be a year of continued growth. The retailer celebrated the opening of its 1,000th UK store last year and has since stated that further investment will continue into 2026.
