Value grocer Lidl is accelerating its spend with British suppliers this year as it positions itself as a champion of national produce.
Lidl said it would invest £4bn into the British food industry this year. That means it now expects to spend £17bn with British suppliers by 2025, compared with an original commitment of £15bn made in 2019.
Lidl GB chief executive Ryan McDonnell said: “The farmers and producers that supply us, some of which have been with us for decades, are paramount to the success of our business.
“We see them as partners in our mission to provide households with high-quality, affordable produce and, for many, working with Lidl GB and being part of our growth has opened opportunities for their own expansion, both here in the UK and across the globe.”
The grocer said British products are proving popular with customers overseas, too. Last year, almost £500m worth of exports from British suppliers went to other Lidl markets, “helping them to open up additional revenue streams and grow their businesses in a challenging macroeconomic environment”.
Lidl said it sources two-thirds of its core produce from the UK and “works directly with over 650 suppliers across the country, giving them unrivalled access to local and international markets”.
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