The next target for Lidl in Romania: 300 stores | Progresiv
Retailer Lidl has budgeted the opening of at least 15 commercial units for the financial year 2019 (starting March 1st), until now 3 commercial units having been opened. As for plans for the coming years, the target of the German discounter is the threshold of 300 stores nationwide. 
"The 500-stores threshold is very far away. We grow at least 15 units a year so we still have a long way to go. But we are very close to having 250 stores, so the next target is reaching 300 stores", said Cristina Hanganu, Communication & CSR Director of Lidl Romania at the inauguration ceremony of the new logistics warehouse at Roman.
In the next period two openings are scheduled in Vatra Dornei and Gura Humorului.
The first logistics center in Moldova area
Along with the expansion investments, the retailer also directed an important amount in the logistics area. Lidl inaugurated the first logistics center in Moldova, near Bacau, in the commune of Cordun. This is the fifth Lidl warehouse in Romania and serves 50 stores in the region.
"Efficiency is in our DNA and that is why we are opening this logistics center. As we increased the number of units operated, the freight distances increased. And to ensure freshness, we had to have a warehouse at a reasonable distance", said Cristina Hanganu.
With a total built area of over 45,000 m2, on a 133,000 m2 land area, the new Lidl logistics center is located in Cordun commune, near the E85 European road, which is an important factor in choosing the location because it allows to maintain the average distance transport products to stores below 150 kilometers, and streamline the distribution process in the eastern part of the country.
"Part of our sustainable business strategy, efficiency is one of the guiding principles we have in our expansion business, so the construction of Lidl's first warehouse in Moldova has come as a natural step, due to the growing development pace of our chain of stores. Positioning the logistics center near the E85 road enables us to optimize vehicle paths and also helps us to reduce the environmental impact. At the same time, like all the new buildings in our portfolio, this was also achieved using advanced building technologies", said Vincent Martin, Roman Regional Director, Lidl Romania.
Thus, at present, the average supply distance of the stores in Moldova is 150 kilometers, decreasing by more than 15% compared to the previous distance. "At the moment, the warehouse supplies 50 stores, but it can support 60-70 locations. But this depends on sales, distances, traffic from a certain area, store density, purchasing power etc.", Cristina Hanganu said.
The representatives of the company did not want to specify the value of the investments in the logistics center at Roman. Asked if the value was similar to the one from the logistics center in Lugoj, where the investment amounted to 20 million euros, Cristina Hanganu said that "it is not cheap to build sustainable but we assume this. We know that it is a long-term investment, but it is also an investment that ensures the efficiency of our operations and also the efficiency of the operation of the building. Thus, we invest in the latest technologies because we know they will not be overcome after a year or two".
Lidl, part of the Schwarz Group, is one of Europe's leading food retail companies. Lidl is present in 30 countries around the world and operates around 10,500 stores and over 150 logistics centers in 29 countries worldwide. In Romania the retailer operates 243 commercial units and 5 logistics centers.
