BELGIUM: Lidl seeks to invest 500 million euros | Progresiv

Over to the next 5 to 7 years, supermarket chain Lidl will invest about 500 million euro into the Belgian market, which should lead to 50 new stores and about 2,000 new jobs.

At first, Lidl's focus will be on the capital, Brussels, where it intends to open another 35 stores. New stores will be located in Sint-Jans-Molenbeek, Anderlecht, Evere and Machelen, while a range of current stores will be remodeled.

It will not limit its attention to Brussels, because Lidl wants to open up to 50 stores in the entire country. "We have a plan prepared for Belgian expansion", Lidl's expansion director, Dirk Heylen, told VRT. "In Flanders, Antwerp and the Flemish Campine are the only blind spots at this time."

By the end of the program, Lidl will have invested another 500 million euro, 200 of thos ein Brussels. Its number of stores will have grown from 300 to 350. Previously, Lidl divulged it wants to invest 45 million euro in Brussels to open 4 new stores and remodel another 2 stores this year. (www.retaildetail.eu)