Lidl has announced a budget of more than €285 million for the 2026 financial year, allocated exclusively to expanding its network in Romania, representing a 56% increase compared to the previous year. The company aims to open more than 40 new stores, amid intensified investments in modern food retail.

The budget increase signals an acceleration of its development strategy, after the network expanded by 41 units between March 2024 and February 2026, reaching a total of 392 stores nationwide. The medium-term objective is to add 200 stores by 2030, compared to the 2024 baseline.

The expansion plan targets both major cities as well as peri-urban areas and smaller towns, indicating a strategy of deeper market penetration. The new units will feature varied formats, from standard stores with areas of 1,400–1,700 sqm to compact units of approximately 1,100 sqm, adapted to lower-density areas.

The investments also have a broader economic component. According to an analysis conducted by KPMG, the company’s activity generated in 2024 a total contribution of approximately €2.31 billion to Romania’s gross value added, equivalent to about 0.65% of GDP. At the same time, each job within the company supports approximately six jobs in the wider economy, resulting in a total impact of nearly 90,000 jobs.

The planned expansion for 2026 will add approximately 1,000 employees to the existing workforce, which currently exceeds 14,000 people. At the same time, network growth will influence the local supply chain, with the company already working with more than 500 suppliers in Romania and reporting purchases of over €2.16 billion in 2024.

In a sector characterized by intense competition and price pressure, the significant investments in expansion suggest a bet on increasing domestic consumption and strengthening its position in proximity food retail.