Lidl hiring for digital role as it mulls online delivery service launch

The discounter is hiring for a new digital project manager, whose role will be “helping to deliver a new online platform with the aim of acquiring new customers and driving online sales”, according to the job advert.

It also said the new role would work closely “with the digital director and the head of ecommerce” and will be responsible for “multiple projects to enhance business growth and revenue”.

This represents a shift for Lidl and would be the first time its customers would be able to order its products online, as well as from its network of physical stores.

Lidl currently has a website, but it does not sell groceries online.

All of the big four grocers currently offer online delivery, while Marks & Spencer struck a £750m joint venture deal with Ocado to fulfil its online grocery business in February this year.

The UK online grocery market is already one of the biggest in the world, but experts believe that it is only going to grow over the next five years.

Figures from IDG showed that in 2018, online grocery penetration in the UK was the second-highest in the world, worth 6% of the overall market at £11.8bn. However, it has forecast that by 2024, ecommerce penetration would increase by 43.8% and be worth in excess of £16.7bn a year.

In the month to September 8, Lidl generated the great sales rise of all the major supermarkets. Its revenues advanced 9.2%, which took the discounter’s overall market share to 6%.

The discounter launched in the UK in 1994, and currently operates 760 stores across Great Britain. 

Lidl has been approached for a comment.