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Date Published: 05/09/2024

New Lidl store opens in Lorca, with more planned for the future

The supermarket chain has been expanding its operations a lot in the Region recently

The Mayor of Lorca, Fulgencio Gil, officially inaugurated the second Lidl store in the city, marking another significant milestone in the expansion of the international supermarket chain in the Region of Murcia.

This new store, located in the district of La Viña, occupies a site formerly used as an electricity substation. The opening, which took place in the presence of members of the municipal corporation and Miquel Alberola, the regional director of Lidl in Murcia, signals a commitment to the city’s commercial and economic development.

During the event, Mayor Gil highlighted Lidl’s positive impact on Lorca, both in terms of job creation and economic growth. He expressed his enthusiasm for the store’s potential to revitalise not only the La Viña neighbourhood but also surrounding areas like San Antonio, contributing to Lorca’s broader urban transformation.

“This new opening is not just about expanding our commercial offerings. It is part of a larger plan that will boost the development of the entire region,” Gil remarked. The new Lidl store is seen as a key element in Lorca’s ongoing transformation project, as outlined in the ‘Framework Commitment 2032’, which seeks to promote economic and residential growth through improvements in local infrastructure, including green spaces.

The new Lidl store represents a significant investment for the company, with 5 million euros allocated to its construction and equipment. The store features modern, energy-efficient designs, including LED lighting and 531 square metres of photovoltaic panels that generate 30% of the store’s energy needs.

The facility boasts a 1,431-square-metre sales area and 128 parking spaces, including four charging points for electric vehicles. In addition to offering a wide range of fresh produce, groceries, cosmetics, and household products, the store also showcases local products from Murcia, such as Estrella Levante beer, Hida tomatoes and Jumilla wines.

Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 9am to 9.30pm, and slightly reduced hours on Saturdays.

Miquel Alberola, representing Lidl, explained that the decision to open a second store in Lorca was driven by the high demand seen at the town’s first store, which opened in 2019.

“This new opening was a necessity,” Alberola said, noting that Lidl’s focus on improving the shopping experience and commitment to sustainability was central to the company’s philosophy. The new store has generated 20 new jobs, bringing Lidl’s total employment in the Region of Murcia to over 630 employees, with 20 stores in the region.

This store is part of Lidl’s broader expansion strategy, which includes seven new store openings across Spain this month. Alongside Lorca, the chain is opening new outlets in Murcia city, Ripoll (Girona), Mairena del Aljarafe (Seville), La Zubia (Granada), Villaviciosa de Odón (Madrid), and Ciudad Real. Lidl’s investment in these new stores totals more than 35 million euros, with each store representing an average investment of 5 million.

In the Region of Murcia alone, Lidl has invested 10 million euros between its new Lorca and Murcia locations. The chain is also planning further investments to open 40 more stores across Spain by February 2025, with a focus on expanding its presence in key areas.

Beyond direct employment, Lidl’s contribution to the economy extends to indirect and induced jobs. For every direct job the company creates, it generates an additional 22 jobs, contributing to over 14,800 positions in total across Spain. In Murcia, the chain is responsible for 2.29% of total employment and generates 2% of the region’s GDP, making it a key player in the local economy.

The new store in La Viña is also part of a larger urban renewal plan. Mayor Gil noted that the store is located within a 32,000-square-metre area slated for redevelopment as part of the Special Plan for Interior Reform (PERI 5) of Lorca’s General Urban Plan. This area will include 7,500 square metres of tertiary-use land, with Lidl occupying 2,343 square metres. The plan also incorporates space for green areas, enhancing the local environment and contributing to the well-being of Lorca’s residents.