Lidl has added several new features to its website including a random recipe generator.

The recipe generator - which works by randomly selecting six Lidl food products to create meal ideas through a slot machine format - was originally a limited feature to tie in with Christmas, but will be kept online permanently after generating high traffic levels. Future recipe ideas will be updated based around seasonal availability and special occasions.

The discount retailer has also added a new feature allowing customers to access product manuals online by entering a five-digit code. If a success, Lidl said it could stop printing manuals for general merchandise.

Meanwhile, the new ‘Lidl on Holiday’ section will allow website and app users to search product listings at Lidl stores throughout Europe.

“The majority of our customers have online access and are keen to plan their food shopping through the website, so we are looking to attract them in different ways,” said a Lidl spokeswoman.

“The recipe generator allows us to showcase the quality of our food and we will explore creative ways to do this.”