Lidl has launched the first of a raft of new concept stores as it injects £1.5bn into revamping and expanding its UK estate.

The discounter will open its first ‘Lidl of the future’ store this morning in Rushden, Northamptonshire. The glass-fronted design will form the blueprint for all its future planning applications.

Lidl said the 15,300 sq ft store – which has wider aisles, longer checkouts, toilets and baby changing facilities – would bring the retailer “further in line with the expectations of the British consumer”.

The shop will use less energy through LED lighting and reduce carbon emissions by about 20%.

The new-look stores will cost more than £2m each to build. The project is planned to take place over the next three years as Lidl is aiming to have 281 shops in London alone.

A new 220,000 sq ft headquarters in Tolworth, west London, is in the pipeline after Lidl purchased a five-acre site from Kingston Council for £10m. More than 750 employees will make the move from the current HQ in Wimbledon towards the end of 2018.

Lidl UK board director of property and expansion Ingo Fischer said: “We are extremely excited about our brand new concept store, which represents the future of Lidl UK.

“Along with its cutting-edge design, our ‘Lidl of the Future’ concept will also go a step further to streamline processes and maximise efficiency”

Ingo Fischer, Lidl

“This is yet another milestone for us in providing the infrastructure needed to manage our increasing market share and the expectations of our growing and incredibly valued customer base which has, quite rightfully, come to expect the very best of us.

“Along with its cutting-edge design, our ‘Lidl of the Future’ concept will also go a step further to streamline processes and maximise efficiency. This forms a key part of our business model, which enables us to keep prices low and the quality of our products high.

“Our Rushden store represents just the beginning of the future for Lidl and we will continue to invest in our expansion programme to ensure that everyone across the country one day has a Lidl store near them.”

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