French retailers E.Leclerc and Lidl announce major expansion strategies

Major French retailers E.Leclerc and Lidl are implementing significant strategic shifts to expand their presence in urban and rural areas through 2030 and 2035.

E.Leclerc aims to transform its network by opening approximately 600 proximity stores by 2030, up from its current count of about 140. This strategy involves opening roughly 90 new smaller-format stores annually to reach customers in city centers, rural villages, and underserved neighborhoods.

Lidl is also pursuing an expansion strategy with the goal of reaching 2,000 supermarkets in France by 2035. To achieve this, the company plans to open about 40 stores per year, often occupying locations vacated by former retailers like Casino and Monoprix. Lidl’s new model includes adapting to urban environments by potentially eliminating parking lots for city-center locations where they are less essential.