Lidl Ireland has today announced that more than €1.6 billion worth of goods and services was procured from Irish suppliers and business partners by the retailer in 2023. A total of €1.1 billion worth of goods was procured from the Irish agri-food industry, with an additional €500 million worth of services provided by local Irish businesses to the retailer last year.
The report also found that of that €1.1 billion worth of goods procured from local food and drink suppliers, €800 million stayed within Lidl Ireland’s operations to be sold through its local store network and more than €300 million was exported internationally through Lidl’s expansive network of stores showcasing the best of Irish produce on the global stage. Lidl continues to give Irish producers unrivalled access to local and international markets supporting the growth and success of Irish produce worldwide.
For the first time, Lidl’s new Supplier and Business Partner Impact report includes a chunky €500 million worth of services that the retailer has procured in Ireland. Lidl’s longstanding partnership spanning almost 20 years with Castlebar’s Structural Design Solutions (SDS) Limited, who provide expert services in engineering consulting, has supported the retailer’s rapid expansion plans on the island and further afield. The fruitful partnership has also enabled SDS to open new offices in the UK to service Lidl GB’s operations and also a new office in Spain that will position them to provide engineering services to Lidl Spain. Lidl has also tapped into local sustainability expertise with Waterford’s Enerpower responsible for the installation and management of the retailers vast rooftop solar portfolio across its 81 stores, two regional distribution centres and head office campus, making Lidl the largest owner of rooftop solar array in the Republic of Ireland.
From a €22 million contract with Longford baker Panelto Foods to a €1.5 million deal secured with Abbey Farm Foods in Laois, suppliers the length and breadth of Ireland have benefitted from Lidl’s support in 2023. Many of these deals included significant exports with Kildare-based cooked meats producer, O’Brien Fine Foods, securing a colossal €60 million contract with the retailer in late 2023 which has facilitated them exporting to Lidl stores across mainland Europe including Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Romania and Slovenia. Meanwhile, Bantry-based Keohane’s fresh and frozen Irish seafood reaches the shores of Great Britain, Germany, Cyprus, Italy and even the USA.
Alongside its established supplier network, Lidl Ireland is committed to supporting small and medium sized home-grown businesses through its industry-leading Kickstart Supplier Development Programme, supported by Bord Bia. The programme is designed to give up and coming Irish producers the opportunity to realise their potential by advancing their product, brand and business with dedicated support from Lidl experts. Now in its eight year, Lidl has invested €8.5 million in growing more than 150 Irish businesses across the island of Ireland with 14 products now part of Lidl’s everyday product range. Applications for the programme are now open until 29th February 2024.
Commenting on the Lidl Ireland Supplier and Business Partner Impact Report, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Neale Richmond said:
“Lidl’s new report demonstrates a strong commitment in supporting the growth of Irish businesses, many of whom Lidl have worked with for more than 20 years, since the retailer first arrived in Ireland. Since then, Lidl has helped grow many Irish suppliers internationally through export opportunities across the Lidl global store network. With €1.6 billion worth of goods and services procured in Ireland by Lidl in 2023 alone, Lidl sets an example for the retail industry by showcasing the importance of strong local partnerships as a driver of economic growth in Ireland.”
Launching the new report findings, J.P. Scally, CEO, Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland said:
“Growing our local supplier network has always been a priority for us and we are proud to have established relationships with almost 1,800 suppliers and business partners from Bantry to Ballyjamesduff, Gorey to Galway. This year, we’re pleased to peel back the curtain for the first time and showcase our valued business partners who make our business what it is behind the scenes. Many of our relationships span more than 20 years and we very much see our suppliers and business partners as an extension of ourselves. We’re proud to play a part in helping them grow, succeed and showcase their quality Irish products and services on the global stage by facilitating export deals through our global network of Lidl stores across 31 countries.
“In 2023, Lidl Ireland procured more than €1.6 billion worth of goods and services from local businesses, with more than €300 million worth of goods exported globally through the Lidl network. This record investment is a huge driver of economic growth, and this report demonstrates our commitment in supporting of entire network of local businesses to grow, develop and enjoy success.”
