Lidl reveals ‘wish list’ of 52 new Scottish store locations: full list

Publishing its latest site requirements document, the discount supermarket chain said it was “going from strength to strength” north of the Border. Work is currently underway on a new store in Dunfermline and a new site in Springburn, Glasgow, as the German-owned group continues to expand its footprint.

The firm said its updated “wish list” underlined its continued rapid expansion, while marking one of the most ambitious store opening programmes in the supermarket sector. In Scotland, the locations being targeted for new stores include Banchory, Broughty Ferry, Dunblane and Largs. Several additional stores are being sought in and around both Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Lidl said it was actively seeking freehold, leasehold or long-leasehold sites in “prominent locations with strong footfall and easy accessibility”. A “competitive” finder’s fee is available to anyone who successfully identifies a previously unknown site that leads to a developed store.

Richard Taylor, chief real estate officer at Lidl GB, said: “At Lidl GB, we currently have one of the most ambitious store opening programmes of any supermarket and we are more committed than ever to bringing our high quality and low priced products to even more communities across the country.

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“All of our stores deliver more than just affordable products. Each one also brings quality jobs, opportunities for British suppliers to showcase the best of our home grown produce and support to local good causes in the communities each one serves. In uncertain times, shoppers and communities can count on us.”

Since establishing itself in the UK in 1994, Lidl has experienced continuous growth and now has some 35,000 employees working across more than 1,000 stores and 13 distribution centres in England, Scotland and Wales.

As part of the Schwarz retail group, Lidl is one of Europe’s largest organisations in the food retail industry. The supermarket business, which has more than 382,000 employees globally, currently operates around 12,600 stores and more than 230 logistics centres and warehouses in 31 countries.

Earlier this month, Lidl GB confirmed plans to open more than 50 stores in the next 12 months as part of a £600 million investment. The chain has held a 33-month streak as the fastest-growing bricks-and-mortar supermarket in the UK, with the publication of its latest target locations said to signal a “clear intention to continue to grow at pace” after opening its 1,000 store, in East Grinstead, last November.

To support its nationwide ambition, the group is already cementing a strong operational foundation. The construction of its new warehouse in Leeds is said to be progressing well with operations due to begin next year.

Lidl GB offers entry-level hourly rates of £13.45 nationally, increasing to £14.45 with length of service. In London, hourly pay starts from £14.80, rising further to £15.30 with length of service.

In December, arch-rival supermarket chain Aldi confirmed that it was planning to open two more Scottish stores during 2026 and extend several other branches as part of a £43m investment north of the Border.

New stores are opening in Bishopbriggs and Dumbarton this year, with extensions planned for outlets in Greenock, Perth, Linlithgow, Paisley and Stirling. Bosses said the £43m investment over the two years supported the German-owned retailer’s growth ambitions in Scotland amid increasing consumer demand.

Earlier in 2025, Aldi became Scotland’s second largest supermarket by volume according to Worldpanel data, as it welcomed 60 million trips through its Scottish stores.

Sandy Mitchell, regional managing director for Aldi Scotland, said in December: “I’m incredibly proud to reflect on another outstanding year for Aldi in Scotland. In 2025, we’ve continued to strengthen our investment across the country, welcoming more customers than ever before to our Scottish stores and providing greater access to affordable groceries.

“Our ongoing commitment to Scottish provenance and our close relationships with local suppliers remain at the heart of our success. We’re proud to champion the very best of Scotland’s produce, ensuring that high-quality, locally sourced products continue to reach more customers.

“As we look ahead, our focus remains on continued investment, expanding our store network and deepening our partnerships with Scottish suppliers, all while delivering even greater value and choice to our customers.”

The chain is working with more than 90 Scottish suppliers and stocking some 450 Scottish products.

Aldi was recognised as Scotland’s leading supermarket for local sourcing by NFU Scotland with 41 per cent of the products on its shelves sourced directly from Scotland. This represents a contribution of more than £300m in sales from Scottish-sourced products and suppliers, the firm noted.

In addition, throughout 2025, Aldi contributed some £50,000 to amateur sports clubs through its Scottish Sports Fund, which bosses said demonstrated the company’s dedication to promoting grassroots sports across the country. Through its tenth anniversary “supermarket sweep” initiative, Aldi donated £10,000 to Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (Chas), helping to provide vital hospice care services for children and families throughout Scotland.

As the two German-owned discounters continue their expansion across the UK, some of their established rivals have been feeling the pinch. Morrisons last year outlined plans to close some in-store cafes, convenience stores, florists, meat and fish counters and pharmacies, describing the move as a “necessary part of our plans to renew and reinvigorate” the chain.

The new store sites being targeted (some may be in the process of being acquired and some towns/cities may have existing Lidl stores):

Aberdeen - Garthdee

Ayr South

Banchory

Bearsden

Bishopbriggs

Bonnyrigg

Broughty Ferry

Clarkston

Clydebank - North

Cumbernauld - North

Cumbernauld - South

Denny - Falkirk

Dumfries

Dunblane

Dunfermline - North

Dunfermline - South

Edinburgh - Barnton / Davidson Mains

Edinburgh - City Centre

Edinburgh - Colinton / Currie

Edinburgh - Gilmerton

Edinburgh - Jewel / Newcraighall

Edinburgh - Liberton

Edinburgh - Morningside

Edinburgh - Murrayfield

Edinburgh - Newington / Mayfield

Edinburgh - Oxgangs

Edinburgh - Portobello

Ellon

Glasgow - Cathcart

Glasgow - Drumchapel

Glasgow - Ibrox

Glasgow - Merchant City

Glasgow - Summerston

Helensburgh

Inverness - South

Irvine

Kirkcaldy North / East

Largs

Linlithgow

Milngavie

Moodiesburn

Newton Mearns

Paisley - South

Paisley - West

Peebles

Perth - North

Polmont - Falkirk East

Renfrew

St Andrews

Stenhousemuir

Stonehaven

Westhill

Store relocation requirements:

Aberdeen - Mastrick

Bo'ness

Dundee - City Centre

Edinburgh - Nicolson St .

Forfar

Fort William

Giffnock

Glasgow - Baillieston

Glasgow - Crookston

Glasgow - Govan

Glasgow - Springburn

Kilmarnock

Leven

Wishaw