Lidl UK has reported a 7% increase in sales over the four-week period leading up to Christmas, driven by strong demand for holiday essentials like turkey and pigs in blankets.
The surge in festive shopping pushed the retailer’s turnover to a record high, exceeding £1bn ($1.25bn) for the first time in its 30-year history in the UK, Reuters reported.
It increased its British supply base by 20% this holiday season, which saw it sell over 16 million British pigs in blankets, while its British turkeys sold once every second.
Lidl has also revealed sales figures for its popular Christmas products, including 8 million units of stuffing balls and 2 million litres of gravy.
The retailer’s busiest day during the holiday season was 23 December, marking what it called its “most successful Christmas yet.”
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The German discounter – Britain’s sixth biggest supermarket chain, was the fastest growing bricks-and-mortar grocer in the year to end-November, with sales up 6.6% year-on-year, Kantar said last month.
Lidl CEO Ryan McDonnell said: “For three decades, Lidl has been providing households with access to unbeatable quality and value at Christmas. This year, we were thrilled to welcome more customers than ever before.
“That’s a strong reflection of the trust our customers place in us and the dedication of our colleagues and suppliers, who work so hard to deliver an outstanding Christmas for the communities we serve.
“In 2024, we continued to raise the bar with product innovation, especially within our Deluxe range, as well as supporting all the community initiatives that are deeply important to us. It’s all been about bringing people together and sharing the joy of Christmas.
“Looking ahead, we’re excited to build on our momentum, growing our presence across the country and continuing to deliver the highest quality at the best prices on the market.”
This milestone comes as the grocer continues to expand its footprint and appeal across the UK. Just before Christmas, it opened a host of new stores in preparation for the big day.
The budget grocer launched four new stores in Shinfield, Bovey Tracey, Downham Market, and Stirchley.
Alongside these, a new store in Connah’s Quay replaced the town’s old Lidl, while its Chessington site has reopened following a full refurbishment and extension.
The openings form part of Lidl’s expansion plans, which will see it launch a further eight stores at the start of 2025 followed by around 40 more in its next financial year.
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