Lidl has announced the launch of its new customer loyalty app known as Lidl Plus.

The app is available for download in Spain, Denmark and Austria.

Digital loyalty card

Lidl Plus is a free app that is easily downloadable via the App Store.

The app introduces a digital loyalty card that allows customers to gain benefits without having to present a physical card. Lidl Plus has been designed so that all its features can and should be used directly from the app.

Customers can scan their digital loyalty card in stores to earn coupons and discounts.

A variety of benefits

Lidl Plus offers a pre-loaded welcome gift of €5 or DKK 30, redeemable in Lidl’s stores.

All Lidl’s up-to-date food and non-food offers are listed on the app. Members can also gain exclusive offers on selected Lidl products and discounts for other brands.

The app also provides its members with other benefits including recipes, shopping lists, a store finder and competitions. One competition, Scratch Plus, gives members the chance to win back the value of their last purchase (up to €50 or DKK 500).

One key advantage of the app is its purchase history aspect. The app allows customers to track all purchases, made through the app and in store, in one place. The digital receipts are scannable for in-store use.

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Mercator reported an increase in retail sales of 6.6% to €787m for the first half of 2018. A good performance in Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) and a return to growth in Serbia positively contributed to its financial performance. However, the retailer reported a slowing in the pace of growth in Slovenia.

Slovenia: sales growth halved…

Mercator Slovenia’s growth halved to 0.8% in H1 2018, when compared to the 2017 full year growth of 1.7%. This is because the retailer refurbished over 100 stores in the first half of 2017 compared to 48 in 2018. Refurbished stores offer more space to fresh food, food-to-go and hot food counter. The retailer expanded space in several categories to stock a more SKUs.

…and Serbia returned to growth

Mercator Serbia reported a 1.1% year-on-year sales growth compared to same period last year. This represents a recovery in performance versus the decline it reported in its 20117 full year results. The decrease in sales last year was caused by store closures, which were requested by the market regulator.

Mercator prepares for Lidl entry into Serbia in 2018…

Lidl announced it will open its first 10 to15 stores in October 2018. Mercator will optimise shelf space to allow for a wider SKU range, focus on the development of private label products and improve its price perception through increased promotional activity.

…and for expansion in 2020

Mercator said it has completed the first phase of its business strategy. This follows the exit of parent company, Agrokor, from administrative control. Mercator said it can now focus on the next phase of its business strategy for 2018 and 2019, which is focused on improving its profitability. In addition to that Mercator plans to dispose non-retail assets to improve cash flow and reduce debt. It is also preparing to raise funds to pay for further targeted store expansion and acquisitions from 2020 to 2022.

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Europe’s largest discount store operator opens procurement hub in Singapore.

Opened in mid-2018

Lidl has opened a procurement hub in Singapore, focused on sourcing both non-food as well as textile products across 12 Asian countries. The retailer is committed to sourcing quality products that come from the most suitable factories.

As Lidl‘s offer is built around private label, establishing a procurement hub in Singapore enables it select suppliers in this region more quickly and effectively.

More about Lidl

Lidl operates more than 10,000 stores across 27 countries. Having established a strong presence in Germany and the rest of Europe, it is begun to explore overseas expansion.

Find out more about Lidl here.

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