Lidl unveils £50m property investment across Scotland

One of Scotland’s largest supermarket chains Lidl has announced a £50 million investment in its property portfolio over the next 12 months.The retailer has eight new Lidl of the Future stores (LOF) stores; Hawick, Stirling, Greenock, Partick, Oban, Broughton, Craigmillar and Slateford currently in the construction phase.The LOF specification features a state-of-the-art, glass fronted design forms a key part of Lidl’s expansion programme, which will see all future planning applications for Lidl stores designed in the same way. Along with its cutting edge design, the ‘LOF’ concept will also go a step further with sustainable and environmentally friendly technology not requiring a gas connection.The new LOF stores, will have a greater sales area than current stores with a much improved welfare area for employees on the mezzanine first floor.Ten of the existing portfolio of 91 stores will also see further investment through extensions, modernisation and refurbishment.With this expansion and investment in Scotland, Lidl, the first British retailer to pay above and beyond the Living Wage rate set by the Living Wage Foundation will create up to 300 new jobs.