NECKARSULM, BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG - As a first step in the company’s planned U.S. expansion, Lidl has purchased $56.6 million 217,500-square-foot building in Arlington, Virginia that analysts believe will operate as its U.S. corporate headquarters.
Lidl has yet to confirm the purchase, but news source German Pulse reports that the company’s real estate affiliate MGP Retail Consulting LLC had selected the building, which includes a food lab and test kitchen.
A company spokesperson declined to comment on the purchase, but stated to the Triad Business Journal, “As has been reported, Lidl is in the early stages of preparation to operate in the United States. We are taking steps toward that effort. However, we are not able to comment on any particular transaction at this time.”
Lidl has been a success throughout Europe, and with sales reaching $102 billion in the 2013-2014 year, the company has become the third-largest retailer in Europe, according to German Pulse. The company has been eyeing a U.S. expansion for several years claiming a proposed 100 store rollout, but mainly has been focusing on continued growth in Europe thus far.
The German Pulse reports that Lidl is expecting to begin opening up stores sometime in 2015/16, first focusing on East Coast locations.
