First 20 American Lidl stores open this summer

German department store chain Lidl‘s American expansion is kicking into gear: the chain will open its first twenty American stores in the summer, a year ahead of schedule.

Virginia, North and South Carolina

Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina will be the first states to welcome Lidl supermarkets as in a year’s time, the discounter aims to have about 100 stores (and create 4,000 new jobs) all across the East Coast.

The chain’s attempt at American conquest will happen much faster than originally planned: in June 2015, Lidl announced it would enter the American market, starting with a main office in Arlington (Virginia). At that time however, it was said the first supermarkets would open their doors in 2018. 

Its German competitor, Aldi, has already been in the United States since 1976, but is also looking for American expansion. It recently announced a 1.6 billion dollar investment in its American activities.