At 8 a.m. this morning, German retailer Lidl opened its first 10 U.S. stores...and photos, video, and feedback are already rolling in from our agents.
Check this post throughout the day for the latest sights and sounds from all 10 Lidl stores!
Thursday, June 15 4:37pm
Alright folks, that's a wrap!
Today, Field Agent collected more than 150 photos across all 10 of Lidl's new U.S. stores. We also captured 70 shopper videos. Scroll down to see a sample of the sights and sounds from today.
Field Agent will continue collecting images and insights throughout the evening. Visit the blog tomorrow to view the full results from this important Lidl QuickShop.
And subscribe to instant blog updates (on the right sidebar or here) to be the first to know when the report is available.
Thanks for tuning in!
Thursday, June 15 4:28pm
Thursday, June 15 4:25pm
Thursday, June 15 4:20pm
Thursday, June 15 4:18pm
Lidl's Private Brand
Shopper review: "The hazelnut spread compares to the brand Nutella which I normally buy...I enjoy the smooth texture and softness. Unfortunately it has a stronger hazelnut flavor."
Thursday, June 15 4:15pm
Lidl's Bakery
"the best thing since sliced bread
is less expensive sliced bread."
Thursday, June 15 4:13pm
"Lidl has lower priced goods that I regularly buy, yet Aldi beats them in some prices." [Rocky Mount, NC]
Thursday, June 15 4:07pm
Thursday, June 15 4:04pm
Thursday, June 15 4:02pm
Thursday, June 15 3:58pm
Lidl's New Surprises
Yoga mats?!
Thursday, June 15 3:55pm
Thursday, June 15 3:49pm
Field Agent has now collected photos, video, and feedback from ALL 10 of Lidl's U.S.-based stores. Just sayin' 😎
(Don't forget to subscribe to instant updates to receive the full results tomorrow)
Thursday, June 15 3:45pm
Lidl Wine Signage/Categories
good. very good. outstanding. wow.
Thursday, June 15 3:41pm
Lidl's Private Brand
Shopper review: "I bought the store brand chicken breast. I don't totally love it, but it does have some good taste. I think it tastes a little drier than I like my lunchmeat. I do like that there [isn't] fat on the chicken."
Thursday, June 15 3:38pm
Lidl Bulk Counter
"buy more for less"
Thursday, June 15 3:35pm
Lidl Checkout Area
Thursday, June 15 3:33pm
"Lidl is the place I know I can get certain items cheaper but I can't find everything cheaper, so Kroger would be my fall-back store." [Hampton, VA]
Thursday, June 15 3:31pm
"This store has the experience that I love, contemporary, lots of technology - great color scheme and the people are extremely nice." [Rocky Mount, NC]
Thursday, June 15 3:27pm
Thursday, June 15 3:19pm
Shopper comment on store layout: "They need more space between the aisles. It's kind of cluttered." [Greenville, NC]
Thursday, June 15 3:16pm
Lidl's Produce Weigh Station
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Thursday, June 15 3:13pm
Shopper comment on sustainability practices: "[I like that they're] eco-friendly, going green. They have eco-friendly shopping bags, even an area for people to recycle." [Greenville, NC]
Thursday, June 15 3:03pm
Lidl's Low Prices
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Thursday, June 15 2:57pm
Lidl Walkthrough - Kinston, North Carolina
Thursday, June 15 2:50pm
Lidl's Produce Section
See videos and photos below for comments on Lidl's fresh produce
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Thursday, June 15 2:46pm
Lidl's Private Brand
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Shopper review: "Tried the peppermints. They were very tasty. I would buy them again. I will take them to work."
Thursday, June 15 2:41pm
Lidl's Produce Section
See videos below for comments on Lidl's fresh produce
Thursday, June 15 2:36pm
Lidl's Bakery Section
See below for shopper comments on the "fantastic smell"
Thursday, June 15 2:33pm
Lidl's Private Brand
Shopper review: "This soap is [comparable] to Dr. Bonner's 'Sal Suds' but much cheaper. Nice scent, lots of bubbles too. I will purchase it again!"
Thursday, June 15 2:30pm
"Lidl makes me feel like cooking! I saw some amazing ingredients today and look forward to seeing what's all in there. Since the prices are affordable, I will be able to try some new recipes." [Greenville, SC]
Thursday, June 15 2:26pm
Lidl's Private Brand
Shopper review: "I thought it was very good for the price. I would probably purchase again. Very refreshing on a hot day. It would compare well with other brands."
Thursday, June 15 2:20pm
"There are some name brands [Lidl doesn't carry] that I really like and don't want to do without..." [Greenville, NC]
Thursday, June 15 2:17pm
Lidl's [Affordable] Produce
Thursday, June 15 2:15pm
Thursday, June 15 2:13pm
"Prices were cheap but the quality wasn't there." [Winston-Salem, NC]
Thursday, June 15 2:11pm
Lidl's Private Brand
Shopper review: "I thought the snack mix was pretty good. As far as snack mix goes I think Lidl has it right. It had a distinct taste and I thought it was better than most store brands I've had before."
Thursday, June 15 2:07pm
"The thing I liked most about the store honestly was the bakery section...Right when you walked in it was right there and it just smelled fantastic." [Kinston, NC]
Thursday, June 15 2:01pm
Lidl Endcap Display
Price Comparisons with Name Brands
Thursday, June 15 1:54pm
Lidl Showing Creativity in NC
Thursday, June 15 1:48pm
Lidl Sample Cart
See below for the sample counter in Virginia Beach, taken this morning
Thursday, June 15 1:43pm
Lidl's Wine Selection
See the videos below for shopper comments
Thursday, June 15 1:27pm
Lidl's Wine Selection
See the videos below for shopper comments
Thursday, June 15 1:22pm
Thursday, June 15 1:19pm
Shopper comment on pronouncing Lidl: "I went to Lidl today. I don't know how to pronounce it; the spelling is strange." [Virginia Beach, VA]
Shopper comment on the Lidl layout: "It was a strange layout, because in the middle of the store was kind of weird, random, seemingly out-of-place items, like exercise equipment or books." [Virginia Beach, VA]
Thursday, June 15 1:16pm
Lidl's Private Label
Shopper review: "When I first opened and pulled one out, I noticed two rips on the top of the bag where the drawstring is...Maybe they are just made like that. They feel strong and durable just as any other brand."
Thursday, June 15 1:12pm
Lidl's Sustainability Claim
Thursday, June 15 1:08pm
Lidl's Private Label
Shopper review: "Very tasty! I like that it's not too sweet. I wish there were more in one package. Definitely a whole lot better than name brand fruit roll ups."
Thursday, June 15 1:05pm
Shopper comment on Lidl's customer service: "The customer service was amazing. I was able to ask [questions to] any of the employees there." [Wilson, NC ]
Thursday, June 15 1:04pm
Lidl's Private Label
Shopper review: "It tasted really good and fresh. The product tastes just as good as a similar, well-known brand, but less expensive. I will definitely purchase this product again."
Thursday, June 15 12:56pm
Thursday, June 15 12:43pm
Inside View - Greenville, South Carolina
Thursday, June 15 12:33pm
Photos & Testimonial - Greenville, South Carolina
Thursday, June 15 12:25pm
Thursday, June 15 12:20pm
Shopper comment on Lidl versus other grocery stores: "I really like [Lidl] a lot more than other grocery stores. The prices are a lot better. Their produce looked really, really good; that's a really big pro for me." [Greenville, SC ]
Thursday, June 15 12:17pm
Thursday, June 15 12:12pm
Lidl's Bakery Section
Thursday, June 15 12:10pm
One thing Field Agent has definitively learned from today's QuickShop of 10 Lidl stores: U.S. shoppers do NOT know how to pronounce Lidl!
Thursday, June 15 12:07pm
Lidl's Liquor Section
See the most recent video below for shopper comments
Thursday, June 15 12:03pm
Lidl's Baby Endcap Display
Thursday, June 15 11:58am
"The prices are great. It has great items and awesome customer service." [Greenville, SC]
"Lidl does not carry other food items that I frequently purchase such as Califia Farms almond coconut milk or Skinny Girl smoked ham." [Kinston, NC]
"[The store is] far too small." [Virginia Beach, VA]
"It currently isn't convenient to my home. As Lidls become more prevalent and accessible, I will shop there more." [Wilson, NC]
Thursday, June 15 11:50am
Thursday, June 15 11:47am
We’re asking Lidl shoppers, what words best describe Lidl?They’re suggesting words like…
ORGANIC
MODERN
INNOVATIVE
AWESOME
See the full results tomorrow, when Field Agent publishes a report based on the complete shopper survey.
Thursday, June 15 11:42am
[What appears to be] Lidl's Produce Weigh Station
Thursday, June 15 11:37am
Inside Lidl - Photos & Testimonial - Wilson, North Carolina
Thursday, June 15 11:28am
Inside Lidl - Wilson, North Carolina
Thursday, June 15 11:13am
Shopper comment on store organization and prices: "I was impressed by how I could find things easily...but the most impressive thing was that the prices were very reasonable and the meat section was very fresh..." [Kinston, NC ]
Thursday, June 15 11:08am
Thursday, June 15 11:06am
Lidl's Sample Station
Thursday, June 15 11:05am
Shopper comment on product selection and prices: "The selection is amazing! I'm used to the German chain Aldi where it's sort of [just] store brands...but Lidl has a great mix of store brands and primary name brands...different price points across the board so you can find what you're looking for at the price you're looking for it." [Wilson, NC ]
Shopper comment on Aldi comparison: "It is very similar to Aldi where it has fresh and organic food but, to me, this store is more modern and chic-looking." [Wilson, NC ]
Thursday, June 15 11:04am
Thursday, June 15 11:01am
Thursday, June 15 10:59am
Shopper comment on Lidl's store design: "The design of the store looks modern, in-line with the times. A lot more modern than say Walmart or Food Lion." [Rocky Mount, NC ]
Thursday, June 15 10:57am
Thursday, June 15 10:54am
Shopper comment on comparing Lidl's private labels with name brands: "They look like the same brand [but] Lidl's brand is a lot cheaper than the name brand." [Sanford, NC ]
Thursday, June 15 10:52am
Lidl's Private Label
Shopper review: "The freeze dried apples with cinnamon are absolutely full of flavor! For the 2.99 price point, you can't beat the clean ingredients and the amazingly crisp flavor you get. The light, airy apple slices are a great snack for someone constantly on the go or in his/her car."
Thursday, June 15 10:48am
In-Store Layout and Pricing
Thursday, June 15 10:46am
Lidl's Organic Section
Thursday, June 15 10:43am
In-Store Transparency
Thursday, June 15 10:40am
Outside Lidl - Wilson, North Carolina
Thursday, June 15 10:27am
Outside Lidl - Sanford, North Carolina