Lidl changes Belgian store concept to cut costs

Discounter Lidl is going to simplify the layout of its Belgian shops, to make them easier to navigate for customers as well as to improve efficiency for employees.

Same layout

Following the example Germany set last week, the retailer is also streamlining its 310 Belgian stores. Contrary to Germany’s move to austerity, in Belgium the more qualitative shop layout will not disappear. Rather, the company is opting for simplification, with the layout being standardised in all stores.

“The aim is for customers to recognise a Lidl store immediately when they step inside”, spokeswoman Isabelle Colbrandt told Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws. “You will first see the bakery and the fruit and vegetable department when you enter the shop.”

That operation will also improve productivity on the shop floor: “At the moment, there is a lot of variation between our stores, so lots of operational tasks are different per shop. By moving towards one clear shop concept across all shops – also in terms of logistics, transport, deliveries… – it will also be simpler and more efficient for our staff.” The latter is important too: complaints about high workloads persist, and one Lidl store even went on strike as problems with understaffing appear to persist.