Lidl has staked an early claim to winning Christmas as it revealed a record-breaking festive performance in the UK with sales exceeding £1bn in December.
The discounter welcomed almost 51 million customers through its doors over Christmas, an 8% year-on-year rise with almost four million more shoppers than in 2024.
Sales at Lidl in the four weeks to 24 December increased 10% year on year to total more than £1.1bn. The supermarket chain did not reveal like-for-like figures for the Christmas period to adjust for new store openings.
Lidl GB CEO Ryan McDonnell said an investment in low prices had resulted in customer loyalty soaring over Christmas.
The discounter ramped up the Christmas veg wars as it dropped the price of vegetables to a new low of 5p a bag in a bid to get customers through the doors. Its ‘We Won’t Be Beaten on Price’ commitment saw the retailer offering a Christmas dinner for eight at £1.24 per person.
Shoppers purchased more than 11,000 tonnes of seasonal produce at Lidl in the week leading up to Christmas Eve, a 70% year-on-year increase.
“2025 was a record-breaking Christmas for Lidl – with more customers choosing to shop with us than ever before,” McDonnell said.
“By continuing to invest in low prices and champion British food, all without compromising on quality, we’ve seen loyalty soar. We remain the retailer that delivers the highest quality at the best price.
“As the fastest-growing bricks & mortar supermarket, we’ve expanded to reach more customers nationwide and offer outstanding value this Christmas. Looking ahead, we’ll continue to grow our footprint, invest in British produce, and deepen support for local communities, delivering even greater value for households across the nation.”
Lidl added that Monday 22 December was its busiest day of the festive season, with Tuesday 23 December recording the highest footfall as shoppers picked up final items for Christmas.
Lidl said shoppers began their festive preparations earlier than ever this year, with more than 30 million mince pies sold from September onwards.
It also saw a 260% increase in sales of its Comte de Senneval Champagne in the run up to Christmas.
A refreshed party food range under the Deluxe own brand recorded triple-digit growth, as the Winter Wonderland Cheesecake sold out on its first day of sale. The Tiramisu Panettone also proved popular, as did all pistachio-based products, with almost 100 tonnes sold.
Lidl also attributed the success over Christmas to the growing popularity of its Lidl Plus loyalty scheme, with active users rising 28% in November and redemptions up 43% compared to the prior year.
No comments yet