Discounter says it has exceeded its original target by £6bn
Lidl GB has exceeded its original commitment to support British food and farming by £6 billion over the past five years, the discounter has revealed.
The retailer said it is on track to invest a total of £21bn in the British food industry by the end of this year, exceeding its original five-year commitment of £15bn by 40 per cent as it steps up its support of British agriculture and food production.
Lidl has invested around £5bn in the past financial year alone, which included over £70 million in British root veg suppliers in January at a time when growers were struggling with severe wet weather.
Richard Bourns, chief commercial officer at Lidl GB, said: “As we celebrate 30 years of Lidl in Great Britain, it’s a fitting time to reflect on how far we’ve come. One of the things we’re most proud of are the strong relationships we’ve built with British suppliers, who have grown with us over the years.
“Now more than ever, we remain committed to supporting British farmers, ensuring we’re a dependable partner to those who put quality, home-grown food on Lidl shelves across the country. By continuing to invest in British agriculture, we’re helping to ensure our suppliers can thrive in the future, providing the British-sourced products our customers love all year round.”
Lidl pointed out that its commitment to British produce is enhanced by its model, which offers an extensive own-brand range that represents around 90 per cent of its product offering, compared to 56 per cent across the sector. That means it has direct relationships with more than 650 suppliers from across the country.
In a related development, the discounter is also launching a Grassroots Farming Conference to strengthen ties with British farmers across more sectors. The inaugural conference will take place from 19-20 February next year at Harper Adams Agricultural University, and will cover topics including agricultural policy, mental health, and more.
Key speakers include Alex Burrows, chair of NACFT; Michael Kavanagh, director of Green Farm Collective; and Stephanie Berkeley from the Farm Safety Foundation.
