December 13, 2016
Port Richmond could soon be one of many sites in a major U.S. expansion expected by German discount grocery chain Lidl, which has snapped up two properties just off Aramingo Avenue.
The company, held by Schwarz Gruppe, currently has more than 10,000 stores across 27 European countries. It established a U.S. headquarters last year in Arlington, Virginia, with plans to identify 150 sites for East Coast stores from Pennsylvania down to Georgia.
Two parcels in Port Richmond — 2270 E. Butler St. and 2300 E. Butler St. — were acquired earlier this year by Lidl's U.S. group for a combined $2.88 million, according to city property records.
Considered a rival to fellow German discount grocer Aldi, Lidl would be moving into an area with stiff competition from Walmart and ShopRite, offering shoppers a mid-sized location between the two alternatives.
Other potential Lidl locations nearby include Warminster, Ridley Township and Millville, New Jersey.
Lidl aims to start opening U.S. locations by 2018.
