Lidl Launches U.S. Expansion in Virginia

Shopping for a Home in the U.S.

When global retailer Lidl decided to expand into the United States’ already competitive grocery market, it operated nearly 10,000 stores in 26 countries in Germany, where it was founded, and across Europe. Boasting both domestic and global accessibility, strong market growth opportunities, and a robust labor pool, Virginia was ready, willing, and able to compete for Lidl’s newest investment. 

A Winning Combination

Lidl quickly identified Arlington and Spotsylvania counties as the ideal choices for Lidl’s requirements. 

Located just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., Arlington has one of the country’s most educated populations, over 30 million square feet of commercial office space, diverse regional transit options, and proximity to three international airports. With numerous Fortune 1000 companies already on its roster, Virginia believed Arlington was the best candidate to host Lidl’s U.S. corporate headquarters.

Virginia was similarly confident that Spotsylvania County and the Greater Fredericksburg region, just 60 miles south of Arlington, would be an ideal location for Lidl’s distribution operations. Just over two hours from The Port of Virginia’s Hampton Roads terminals and convenient to the port’s inland facilities in Richmond and Warren County, the region has long served as a cost-competitive center for commerce and the supply chain industry, with easy access to highway, rail, and water transportation.

Two New Virginia Addresses 

In June 2015, after a competitive search, Lidl announced its initial investment of $202 million to establish operations in Virginia. The investment included $77 million for its U.S. corporate headquarters in Arlington County, creating 500 new jobs, and $125 million for its regional headquarters and distribution center facility in Spotsylvania County, creating an additional 200 jobs.

The market opportunities, depth of the talented job force, and strategic location that Virginia provides presents an incredible opportunity for Lidl to launch is expansion into the United States.

Brendan Proctor, President and CEO, Lidl US (2015–2020)

Virginia’s strong infrastructure helped secure the facilities for the Commonwealth. Virginia offers the second-densest roadway and railway networks in the Southeast, six major interstates including major north-south and east-west trucking routes, and strong cargo operations at The Port of Virginia and Washington Dulles International Airport.

Continued Success, Reliable Growth

Lidl officially opened its first U.S. stores in Virginia Beach and Hampton in June 2017, just two years after their initial expansion announcement. Within the first year of operation, Lidl was recognized with more than 500 awards for its premium private-label products in prestigious American product competitions.

In just three years, the company opened 103 stores across the eastern United States. In 2020, Lidl committed to invest more than $500 million to open stores in Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia. Lidl currently operates more than 185 stores across nine states and Washington D.C., with the majority of its locations in Virginia. Virginia’s 37 stores represent about 19% of the total number of Lidl retail stores in the United States (2026).

Today, Lidl U.S. has surpassed its initial investment and jobs commitment in Virginia, creating more than 1,715 jobs and investing a total of $353 million since 2015.

As Lidl expands its national footprint, Virginia is proud to serve as the U.S. base for operations and distribution. This ongoing investment from an internationally recognized grocery giant further emphasizes the strength and reliability of the Commonwealth’s strategic location, its global and domestic access and reach, effective supply chain, and skilled workforce.