At Long Last…Lidl
Celebrations yesterday as German retail giant, Lidl, opened its new distribution depot in Güímar, Tenerife, following a seven-year battle with Canarian bureaucracy.
The depot opening was the first stage of the company’s plans, which will see 12 stores open throughout the Canaries, six of them in Tenerife, with the first two in Puerto de la Cruz and Granadilla opening on February 4 this year. Followed by Adeje and La Laguna on February 8 and Chafiras and Santa Ursula on Feb 11.
Director of the company’s Spanish operation, Michael Aranda, said that the opening of the Lidl stores was a landmark for the Canary Islands.
Aranda also boasted that because of the company’s aggressive pricing policy, the average family, by shopping at Lidl, will save around 2,500 euros a year.
Lidl has operated in Spain, where it has some 480 stores, and throughout Europe for many years but has had to fight a seven-year battle with the government of the Canary Islands.
The government has fought tooth and nail to protect local retailers, who feared they would not survive the onslaught from the giant multinational chains.
Critics however, argue the competition will be good for the consumer.
Many believe local supermarket chains have had an easy ride and that they should have to battle for their market share like anywhere else.
For its part, Lidl say their plans will mean employment for 600 direct staff , while being responsible for a further 2,200 jobs in the construction and supply industries.
The company was also quick to silence some critics with its promise to support the Canary economy by sourcing as much of their produce locally as possible.
Recalling the struggle to establish a foothold in the islands, Aranda described how the company set up a small office with just four staff as far back as 2002.
It may have been small, but based on the recommendations of those four staff, the company was prepared to invest the equivalent, in today’s money, of up to 200 million euros.
January 24th, 2010 at 11:43 am
I am so glad Lidl is coming to Tenerife, the main Supermarkets have had it all their own way for long enough, Goods are much more expensive here, and I love Lidl in England. I am not surprised they have fought for seven years with the Goverment, they do not like free enterprise, and fearce competition.
February 7th, 2010 at 9:28 am
It’s about time the major Supermarkets had a good kick in the prices !
August 23rd, 2010 at 2:33 pm
Can you tell me why 3 stores in the south Tenerife are not being restocked with TONICA.
Keep getting told Mananna.