Lidl employed over 50 people and spent €2 million with 12 Laois businesses in 2024

A new report marking Lidl Ireland’s 25 years in Ireland has revealed the company spent over €2 million on goods and services from Laois businesses last year. 

Lid’s employed 50 people across its two Laois stores in Portlaoise and Portarlington in 2024 and it now has plans to open a third store in Mountmillick which is expected to provide another 25 jobs. 

The company commissioned a report from Oxford Economics to highlight the positive economic impact of Lidl Ireland since opening in 2000. 

It found that in the midland counties of Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Longford, the economic boost from Lidl stores amounted to €89 million euro in 2024.  

In 2024 alone, Lidl spent €1.3 billion with its network of 400 Irish suppliers - an increase of 70% over the last five years as it created more opportunities for customers in Ireland and international markets to buy world-class Irish-made products. Every region across Ireland benefited from Lidl’s support for Irish suppliers, with at least €69 million procured in each of Lidl’s eight key regions in 2024.

Since Lidl Ireland first opened its doors in 2000, launching stores in Athlone, Ballinasloe, Cavan, Letterkenny, Limerick, Mullingar, and Portlaoise, it has grown exponentially becoming one of Ireland’s largest retailers. Lidl has captured 13.8%* of the Irish grocery market and now welcomes more than 1.5 million shoppers through its doors every week. 

Leveraging its global presence, Lidl has expanded its export opportunities for Irish producers, providing direct access to 27 international markets such as Croatia, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the USA, and supporting the growth of Ireland’s vital agri-food sector. The Midlands region led in exports, with 66% of procurement destined for international markets, driven by global suppliers like Longford-based C&D Foods and Panelto Foods, and showcasing the best of Irish produce on the world stage.

In 2024, Lidl employed 5,529 people directly through its network of more than 180 stores, three regional distribution centres and centralised operations in the Republic of Ireland. Beyond its direct workforce, the report estimated that Lidl sustained a further 4,710 jobs in 2024 considering both supply chain and the wider impacts of consumer spending, bringing the total number of jobs supported by the retailer to approximately 10,240 jobs across the Irish economy last year.

Lidl announced in February that it is committed to investing a further €600 million over the next five years, with the development of up to 35 new stores and a €200 million new regional distribution centre in Cork, reinforcing its commitment to Ireland’s economic future.

Lidl has been a positive force in communities across Ireland, going beyond retail to create meaningful social impact. Through long-standing partnerships with national charities, Lidl has raised over €6 million to support vital causes including the Irish Heart Foundation, Barretstown, Jigsaw – the National Centre for Youth Mental Health, and its current charity partner, Family Carers Ireland. As part of this latest partnership, Lidl has pledged to raise €1 million over the next three years to support the essential work of unpaid family carers nationwide – a cause close to the hearts of employees and customers alike.

Welcoming the findings of this report, Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe said: “I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Lidl on 25 successful years in Ireland. Their growth story has been truly remarkable — from a new entrant disrupting the Irish retail market to becoming a household name rooted in communities across the country. Their support for the Ladies Gaelic Football Association and their emergence as one of Ireland’s most desirable employers reflects a deep and lasting commitment to Ireland, our economy and our people. A €997 million contribution to the Irish economy in 2024 alone speaks volumes about the scale of their impact. We are proud to have Lidl as part of Ireland’s business landscape, and I look forward to their continued success in the years to come.”

Reflecting on 25 years of Lidl in Ireland, Robert Ryan CEO of Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland, said: “As we mark 25 years of Lidl Ireland, we’re proud of all we have achieved in becoming a trusted household name in every community in Ireland. Since day one, our goal has been clear: to provide consumers with the highest quality produce at market-leading value, while operating sustainably and creating tangible, positive impacts in the communities we serve.”

Lidl has been a driving force for equality in Irish sport through its sponsorship of the Ladies’ Gaelic Football Association. Since 2016, Lidl has invested €10 million to elevate the profile of the women’s game, championing gender equality and celebrating female players as role models for future generations. This investment has been felt by communities across Ireland, supporting over 1,200 schools and youth teams nationwide, donating more than 30,000 jerseys, balls, and equipment, and providing cash support to over 60 local clubs.