# Schwarz Group: Lidl expansion, hiring, and store openings > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/schwarz-group-store-expansion > Updated: 2026-09-06T20:32:36.000Z. Sources: 75. Developments: 21. Lidl’s rollout in Bosnia‑Herzegovina has entered a critical preparatory phase, with the first stores expected to open in March 2027. To support this, the company is conducting a large-scale recruitment drive for over 1,000 positions across more than 20 cities, including Sarajevo, Mostar, Banja Luka, and Tuzla, with an application deadline of September 30. New hires will undergo a comprehensive training program consisting of interactive theory and practical mentorship. The expansion continues to influence the local labor market. While official salary figures remain unconfirmed, Lidl’s emphasis on permanent contracts and holiday bonuses has prompted retail workers to weigh potential increases in income and security against their current roles. Local business owners have expressed varying degrees of skepticism regarding the impact on domestic competition. Mirko Savičić of the retail chain Šiki suggested that the actual salary gap might not be substantial and argued that domestic companies could maintain an advantage through a ‘more flexible work atmosphere’ compared to the potentially stricter oversight of a foreign corporation. Similarly, Fructa Trade indicated they do not expect Lidl’s arrival to significantly disrupt the existing labor market. As the market entry nears, Lidl has expressed interest in stocking local goods, requiring a specific percentage of products to be produced within the country. Siniša Šolak, president of the ‘Glamočki krompir’ Association, confirmed that Lidl representatives have contacted potato producers from Glamoč to discuss production capacities and cooperation. Stojan Marinković, president of the Alliance of Agricultural Producers of Republika Srpska, noted that the presence of domestic products on supermarket shelves has long been a goal for local associations and serves as vital promotion for local agriculture. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-06: Lidl to open first branches in Bosnia and Herzegovina next March German retailer Lidl plans to open its first Bosnian and Herzegovinian branches in March, with plans to stock local agricultural products like Glamoč potatoes. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lidl-to-open-first-branches-in-bosnia-and-herzegovina-next-march ### 2026-08-31: Lidl prepares to open first stores in Bosnia and Herzegovina Lidl is preparing to enter the Bosnia and Herzegovina market, with first stores expected to open in March 2027 and over 1,000 jobs currently being recruited across 21 cities. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lidl-prepares-to-open-first-stores-in-bosnia-and-herzegovina ### 2026-08-25: Lidl expansion sparks wage discussions in Bosnia and Herzegovina Lidl's expansion into Bosnia and Herzegovina has sparked debate among retail workers over wages and benefits, though local business owners expect minimal disruption to the domestic labor market. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lidl-expansion-sparks-wage-discussions-in-bosnia-and-herzegovina ### 2026-08-15: Lidl expands into Bosnia and Herzegovina with major logistics hub and mass hiring Lidl is entering the Bosnia and Herzegovina market with a 100 million euro logistics center in Kiseljak and a recruitment drive for over 1,000 new employees across 20 cities. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lidl-completes-100-million-euro-logistics-hub-in-bosnia-and-herzegovina ### 2026-08-03: Lidl hires over 1,000 workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina Lidl Bosnia and Herzegovina announced a hiring campaign for over 1,000 logistics and retail jobs in more than 20 cities, with applications open from early to late August. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lidl-bosnia-launches-hiring-drive-for-over-1000-retail-and-logistics-jobs ### 2026-07-25: Lidl Expands with New Stores in Bosnia‑Herzegovina and Slovakia Lidl plans nearly 30 new stores in Bosnia‑Herzegovina and opens its first shop in Sládkovičovo, Slovakia, creating about 40 jobs. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lidl-expands-with-new-stores-in-bosniaherzegovina-and-slovakia ### 2026-07-21: Schwarz Digits opens sovereign cloud campus in Bad Friedrichshall Schwarz Digits opened a €11 bn sovereign cloud campus in Bad Friedrichshall, Germany, aiming to become a European hyperscaler and reduce reliance on US providers. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/schwarz-digits-opens-bad-friedrichshall-campus-targets-european-cloud-hyperscaler-status ### 2026-07-19: Lidl opens new supermarket in Lisbon's Parque das Nações, boosting staff to 280 Lidl opened a new 1,200 m² supermarket in Lisbon’s Parque das Nações on 17 July, increasing its Lisbon count to 19 stores, employing about 280 staff on permanent contracts with salaries up to €19,800 annually, 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lidl-opens-new-supermarket-in-lisbons-parque-das-naes-boosting-staff-to-280 ### 2026-07-16: Lidl signs collective agreement with 15% wage rise by 2030 in Spain Lidl and Spanish unions signed a new collective agreement delivering a 15% cumulative wage rise to 2030, a €280 million investment, and expanded work‑life and benefits provisions. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lidl-signs-collective-agreement-with-15-wage-rise-by-2030-in-spain ### 2026-07-14: Lidl expands to 29 cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, adds stores in Mostar, Prijedor and Cazin Lidl is set to open stores in Prijedor, Cazin and a second outlet in Mostar, boosting its Bosnian network to 27 towns with plans for up to 29 locations, including potential sites in Široki Brijeg and Sanski Mоѕ 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lidl-expands-to-29-cities-in-bosnia-and-herzegovina-adds-stores-in-mostar-prijedor-and-cazin ### 2026-07-13: Schwarz Gruppe hosts family‑business career day in Neckarsulm Schwarz Gruppe’s 10 July 2026 career day in Neckarsulm brought 70+ family firms and 700 professionals together to discuss AI, sustainability and future work, with next events planned for Nov 2026 and June 2027. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/schwarz-group-hosts-family-business-career-day-in-germany ### 2026-07-12: Schwarz Group opens €11 bn European digital hub in Bad Friedrichshall Schwarz Group’s tech arm Schwarz Digits will open a €11 bn digital campus in Bad Friedrichshall, Germany, on 21 July 2026, housing 3,500 staff, a data centre and cloud services to rival US tech giants. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/schwarz-group-opens-11-bn-european-digital-hub-in-bad-friedrichshall ### 2026-07-10: Lidl plans stores in 29 Bosnian cities, adding sites in Mostar, Prijedor and Cazin Lidl is set to open stores in 29 Bosnian cities, adding new sites in Prijedor, Cazin and a second store in Mostar, with openings slated for next year. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lidl-expands-to-29-bosnian-cities ### 2026-07-08: Lidl plans new supermarket in Sarajevo Centar municipality Lidl’s proposed supermarket in Sarajevo’s Centar municipality could create 50 jobs and bring about 300,000 KM in rent revenue, pending public feedback on the updated Zetra regulatory plan. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lidl-plans-new-supermarket-in-sarajevo-centar-municipality ### 2026-06-29: Lidl invests €280 million to boost wages and benefits for Spanish staff Lidl will spend €280 million through 2030 to double its collective‑bargaining budget, raise wages by at least 15%, extend parental leave to 20 weeks and add new benefits for its 20,000+ Spanish workers. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lidl-invests-280-million-to-boost-wages-and-benefits-for-spanish-staff ### 2026-06-28: Lidl plans new supermarket in Čapljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina German retailer Lidl will build a new supermarket in Tasovcići on the main M17 highway at Čapljina’s entrance, creating a new commercial zone and boosting competition in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lidl-plans-new-supermarket-in-apljina-bosnia-and-herzegovina ### 2026-06-20: Portugal adds new Arcádia and Lidl stores in Lisbon area and Sertã Arcádia launched two NESCAFÉ‑partner stores in Lisbon and Montijo, while Lidl opened new supermarkets in Carvalhal and its first in Sertã, creating over 40 jobs. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugal-adds-new-arcdia-and-lidl-stores-in-lisbon-area-and-sert ### 2026-06-18: Schwarz Group to invest over €10 billion as revenue reaches €185.6 billion Schwarz Group, owner of Lidl and Kaufland, posted €185.6 bn revenue and plans >€10 bn investments this year, including €5 bn in Germany and a new factory in Romania. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/schwarz-group-to-invest-over-10-billion-as-revenue-reaches-1856-billion ### 2026-06-17: Lidl opens two new supermarkets in Spain, investing over €13 million Lidl Spain will invest over €13 million to open two new supermarkets in Poio and La Pobla de Farnals in June, creating 43 jobs and expanding its network toward 50 new stores in FY 2026. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lidl-opens-two-new-supermarkets-in-spain-investing-over-13-million ### 2026-06-12: Lidl ramps up construction and prepares openings in Bosnia and Herzegovina Lidl is constructing a new store at a key crossroads in Bosnia's Lašva valley and plans multiple openings, backed by Schwarz Group's strong earnings and €10 bn investment plan, with first shops expected early 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lidl-ramps-up-construction-and-prepares-openings-in-bosnia-and-herzegovina ### 2026-06-11: Schwarz Group opens 300 new Lidl and Kaufland stores worldwide in 2025/26 Schwarz Group’s Lidl and Kaufland added 300 new stores worldwide in FY2025/26, lifting group revenue to €185.6 bn and creating 9,000 jobs, including 5,000 in Germany. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/schwarz-group-opens-300-new-lidl-and-kaufland-stores-worldwide-in-202526 --- Cite as: Schwarz Group: Lidl expansion, hiring, and store openings. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/schwarz-group-store-expansion