German discount supermarket chains Lidl and Aldi have rapidly expanded their presence in Spain, opening nearly 400 new stores over the last five years. This aggressive growth strategy, underpinned by significant investments in logistics and real estate, has positioned the two companies as key players in the competitive Spanish food retail market.
Lidl has added approximately 180 net new stores since 2020, bringing its total to over 700 locations. The company aims to reach 1,000 stores within the next few years, depending on bureaucratic processes for obtaining licenses. Lidl has invested €1.54 billion in its Spanish operations since 2020, an average of €300 million annually, which includes new logistics centers in Tarragona, Granada, and Álava, with another planned in Barcelona by 2025.
Aldi has also accelerated its growth, averaging 40 new stores annually, with a record 46 openings in 2023, bringing its total to 468 locations. The company recently expanded into northern Spain and the Canary Islands, supported by new logistics centers in Burgos and Valencia. Between 2020 and 2022, Aldi's parent company contributed over €1 billion to its Spanish subsidiaries.
Despite these expansions, Lidl and Aldi have yet to achieve the scale in Spain that they enjoy in other markets. Lidl has a strong presence in countries like France and the UK, with over 1,500 and 1,000 stores, respectively, and a significant market share. Aldi’s operations, split into Aldi Nord and Aldi Sud, continue to grow across Europe and the United States, signaling room for further expansion in Spain.
Both companies are leveraging their efficient, low-cost business models to challenge dominant players like Mercadona and Carrefour, aiming to capture a larger share of Spain’s food retail sector.
