Lidl’s Northern Ireland operation surpassed half a billion pounds in sales for the first time this year, new accounts for the German-owned retailer show.
The supermarket chain recorded a 5% increase in sales to £523 million for the 12 months ending February 28 2025.
Higher costs during the trading period, including a 13% increase in staff costs to £35.6m, saw Lidl’s profit-before-tax dip to £19.4m for the year, slightly down on the £22m for the year to February 2024.
Although profit was down year-on-year, the latest trading period was still one of the most profitable recorded by Lidl since it began operating in the north during 1999.
Lidl now run a network of 43 stores north of the border, employing 1,329 in the year to February 2025.
The retailer also maintains a major distribution hub at Nutts Corner
In a strategic report analysing its trading performance over the period, the grocer said: “Lidl’s agility and dynamism meant that its commitment to protecting prices, people and producers never wavered.
“Through its strategic and sustainable growth plan and ability to adapt, the company made significant progress on the previous fiscal year.”
Lidl said profit was driven by volume growth from new and existing customers.
Kantar data estimates Lidl enjoyed a 2.2% increase in trips during the period to 19.3 million shopping trips in total, giving it a 9.2% share of the north’s grocery market.
The retailer said £43.1m was invested in its store network in the year to February, while pay increases for its workforce worked out at an extra £1.1m.
The period covered in the accounts pre-dated the introduction of higher employer national insurance contributions, which came into effect on April 6 2025.
Most of the larger supermarket chains have warned the additional costs will likely result in more price increases.
According to the latest annual accounts, published by Companies House, Lidl Northern Ireland paid a £5m tax bill for the 2024/25 fiscal period, leaving it with a bottom line profit of £14.4m, down from £17.2m in the previous year.
Shareholders’ funds increased by just over £14m to £102.8m.
The period covered in the report saw Lidl continue its ongoing store replacement programme.
But the retailer also established brand new locations in Carryduff and the Boucher Road, its first ever store in south Belfast.
Lidl also acquired the former Homebase site in south Belfast for £7.5m toward the end of 2024.
The supermarket chain is currently engaged in the planning process for a major redevelopment of the site, which will include a new Lidl store in south Belfast.