Lidl Ireland is planning to invest €600m to open 35 new stores and a regional distribution centre over the next five years.
The supermarket giant will spend €200m on the new distribution centre in Cork as its seeks to improve its logistical infrastructure in the south and south-east regions.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme, Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland CEO Robert Ryan said 12 new stores would open across the country in the next year.
"We’ll open in Carndonagh in Donegal, we’ll open a store in Moycullen (Maigh Cuillin) in Co Galway, we’ll open a second store in Wexford town, and one in Ballybough in the north inner city," he said.
"We’re also delighted this morning to be opening a new store in Enfield in Co Meath," he added.
"All of that really continues to rubber stamp our investment in Ireland and each of these have construction jobs associated with them, and we employ about 35 to 40 people in each of the stores."
The announcement was made after the group announced it had procured €1.67bn worth of goods and services from Irish businesses in 2024, an increase of €41m or 2.5% year-on-year.
Lidl bought €1.2bn of goods from Irish agri-food businesses, up €89m or 7% from 2023, of which €885m was sold in Lidl Ireland stores and €360m was exported internationally.
The group bought a further €426m worth of services from Irish suppliers.
“This record level of investment is a huge driver of local economic growth, and this report demonstrates our commitment to supporting our entire network of local businesses to grow, develop and enjoy success," Ryan said in a statement.
“Our sustained business performance enables us to continue investing in expanding our supplier network as well as our store network, which is currently at 180 stores, and will see significant growth in the next 12 months.”
Photo: Pictured are Aisling Tuck, Founder and Owner of Naked Bakes, and alumna of Lidl's Kickstart programme 2024, Jim O'Toole, CEO of Bord Bia and Robert Ryan, CEO Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland at the launch of Lidl's Supplier and Business Partner Impact Report for 2024. (Pic: Conor McCabe Photography)
