Lidl plans larger distribution centre and more Scottish stores

The supermarket has submitted a notification to West Lothian Council to apply for a relocation of its Scottish Regional Distribution Centre (RDC) to a site at the Southdale regeneration projects at Armadale.

The existing RDC in Livingston opened in 1996 and has since received several extensions creating a total warehouse area in excess of 28,000 sq metres. The new RDC, which would boast a total warehouse area of more than 71,000 sq metres, would open in late 2016.

Lidl is also set to continue expanding its portfolio in Scotland over the next 12 months with refurbishments of its existing stores, store relocations and the construction of at least three new stores. These plans will also create new jobs in addition to Lidl‘s existing workforce of 1,800 employees in Scotland with the planned recruitment of 500 staff over the next 12 months, while also securing jobs in the Scottish construction industry.

Turnover for the business reached £3.3 billion in 2013 and sales have increased by 20 per cent over the last 12 months, helping to grow market share to 3.5 per cent in January 2015. Lidl maintained its strong sales performance with its most successful Christmas trading period yet in 2014 with turnover expected to hit £4bn for the current financial year.

Iain Hunter, Livingston warehouse manager, said: “The rise in customer numbers and in-crease in sales means we are operating an even busier warehouse than ever before. We are now shipping more and more stock every day to our store network across Scotland and, as a result, we now require a new, larger warehouse to cope with the demand and anticipated future growth.”

Sandra Carter of EWP, developers behind the Southdale development said: “We are delighted that Lidl have taken the decision to locate their distribution centre at Southdale, one of Scotland’s largest and fastest growing regeneration projects. The arrival of this major employer into Armadale marks a new and exciting era for the town.”