New Battle Of Britain Takes Place In Grocery AIsles

German discount grocery chain Lidl – already a huge success in the U.K. – plans aggressive expansion in the country in 2016, adding 40 to 50 stores. The $2.3 billion growth strategy is another blow to Big Grocery in the country, where national chains like Sainsbury are losing revenue and market share in what has turned into a damaging price war. Lidl has 629 stores in the U.K., and plans to more than double that number over the next couple of years. In addition, Lidl’s new stores will start to look a little more like the higher-priced competition, with wider aisles, self-check-out technology, and baby changing stations. Sainsbury’s profits dropped 18 percent in the six months ending in September. Lidl’s profit rose 21 percent in 2014. The Aldi discount chain has had similar success in Great Britain.