German stores chain Lidl opened its doors to Maltese consumers last Thursday at three new outlets in Sta Venera, San Gwann and Luqa. The stores each have an approximate sales area of 1000 square metres and a car park for

customers.

With a total of 50 employees, Lidl is operating local community utility stores. The company does not work on a franchise system and is neither a hypermarket nor a wholesaler. The management team has undergone an intensive training programme in Italy, while newly recruited employees have had two months of training and development to ensure the highest operational standards.

Lidl Stores typically have a product range of 1,100 products – Lidl branded and others that are local. The range consists of both food and non-food items. Special offers on non-food items are offered twice weekly, every Monday and Thursday.

“We want to offer a range of products that is in line with the Maltese lifestyle and food consumption traditions,” said Country Manager David Gatt. “We want to offer Maltese consumers an enjoyable and easy shopping experience, together with good quality and innovation, hence offering additional value by providing best-quality products at the best prices.”

Widening communication channels with the Maltese public is high on Lidl’s agenda. Households in the vicinity of Lidl Stores will receive regular information about its weekly offers in their mail box and, thanks to its website, www.lidl.com.mt, the company will keep the Maltese consumer updated on all the products on offer on a weekly basis.

According to Italian website

distribuzionemoderna.info, Lidl will open a store at Safi in the autumn and has already applied for permits for further stores in Zabbar and Zebbug.