Lidl posts record‑breaking Christmas

Lidl GB has reported its biggest Christmas on record, with sales up 10% year‑on‑year and turnover exceeding £1.1bn in the four weeks to Christmas Eve.

Nearly 51 million customers shopped with the discounter during the festive period — almost four million more than the previous year — marking an 8% rise in footfall.

The performance cements Lidl’s position as the UK’s fastest‑growing bricks‑and‑mortar supermarket, with CEO Ryan McDonnell crediting the retailer’s continued investment in low prices, British sourcing and a sharply expanded store estate.

Lidl’s core value proposition resonated strongly with shoppers navigating tight household budgets. The retailer’s commitment to low prices — particularly across fresh produce and festive staples — helped drive exceptional volumes.

Shoppers purchased over 11,000 tonnes of seasonal vegetables in the week leading up to Christmas Eve, a 70% year‑on‑year increase. Lidl’s “Pick of the Week” promotions played a central role in attracting price‑sensitive customers.

Consumers began Christmas preparations earlier than ever, with Lidl selling over 30 million mince pies from September onwards. This early demand helped the retailer build momentum well before the peak trading window.

Its refreshed Deluxe party‑food range also delivered triple‑digit growth, signalling strong consumer appetite for affordable premium options.

Lidl saw a 260% uplift in sales of its Comte de Senneval Champagne during its busiest week, driven in part by Lidl Plus loyalty promotions. The retailer’s strategy of offering premium‑tier products at discount prices helped it capture shoppers trading up for festive celebrations without paying supermarket‑premium prices.

Lidl opened around 40 new stores in 2025, taking its UK estate to more than 1,000 locations. This expansion significantly increased accessibility, contributing to the record 51 million customer visits.

Lidl’s messaging around championing British food continued to resonate. CEO Ryan McDonnell said loyalty had “soared” because the retailer invested in low prices “while championing British food, all without compromising on quality”.

This alignment with consumer sentiment — value, provenance and quality — proved a powerful combination.

Lidl’s 10% sales growth outpaced the previous year’s 7% uplift, reinforcing the discounter’s momentum as shoppers increasingly shift away from traditional supermarkets in search of value.