LIDL GB BECOMES FIRST DISCOUNTER TO SIGN ARMED FORCES COVENANT

• Lidl GB has become the FIRST discounter to sign the Armed Forces Covenant
• Ceremony took place at Horse Guards in London, with Lidl becoming the only retailer to ever sign the Covenant at the iconic location
• Move highlights Lidl’s dedication to recognising the invaluable contributions of ex-military personnel and their families and comes as it enhances internal policies

7th March 2024: Lidl has become the first discounter to sign the Armed Forces Covenant, highlighting its commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community.

A ceremony was held on Wednesday 6th March at Horse Guards in London, home to HM The King’s Mounted Bodyguard and the Household Cavalry, making Lidl the first retailer to ever be given access to the iconic location for the signing of the Covenant. Facilitated by Lieutenant Colonel Chips Broughton MBE, the event was attended by a number of colleagues with military connections.

The Covenant embodies a promise to uphold fairness and respect for those who have served in the Armed Forces, as well as their families, in all aspects of society. The move underscores Lidl’s dedication to recognising the invaluable contributions of service personnel, veterans, reservists, and military families.

Understanding the wealth of transferrable skills possessed by those leaving the Armed Forces, Lidl has reaffirmed its commitment through the enhancement of internal policies to help recruit and maintain ex-military personnel within the business, including:

• Additional support for the employment of veterans and their spouses or partners
• Enhancement of Lidl's reservist policy to better accommodate the needs of serving reservists
• Expansion of Lidl’s ex-armed forces focus group, comprising of colleagues who’ve transitioned from military service, to gain deeper insights into how the business can better support them
• Strengthening of external relationships, such as that with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP), by actively promoting vacancies on the CTP website, as well as participation in careers events.

Joe Kourea, Director of Operations at Lidl GB, said: "It was an honour to witness our signing ceremony at the esteemed Horse Guards, steeped in military history. We recognise the sacrifices made by those in the Armed Forces and truly believe they should face no disadvantage when leaving the military. As a retailer, we benefit immensely from the skills that colleagues with military experience have gained from their time with the forces. That's why we've pledged our support through the Covenant and are enhancing our internal policies to welcome the skills and experiences of ex-military personnel into Lidl.”

Colonel Chips Broughton MBE added: “The Armed Forces Covenant is instrumental in providing support and recognition to those who have sacrificed so much in the service of their country. Lidl signing the Covenant highlights its commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Community.

“It is reassuring to see Lidl acknowledge the valuable skills and qualities that those leaving the military possess, supporting their transition to civilian life and continuing to provide opportunities to build fulfilling and successful careers.”

This latest step from the discounter serves as a testament to the company's dedication to inclusivity and diversity, and comes after a £37 million investment into colleague pay at the start of the year, with hourly-paid colleagues receiving the highest rates in the sector.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

About Lidl GB

Since establishing itself in Great Britain in 1994, Lidl GB has experienced continuous growth and today has over 31,000 employees, over 960 stores and 14 distribution centres in England, Scotland and Wales.

As part of the Schwarz retail group, Lidl is one of Europe’s leading organisations in the food retail industry. The supermarket, which has around 376,000 employees globally, currently operates approximately 12,200 stores and more than 220 logistics centers and warehouses in 31 countries.

The supermarket takes pride in providing its customers with the highest quality products at the lowest possible prices throughout Great Britain, from Kirkwall to the Isle of Wight. Social responsibility and sustainability are at the core of the company's daily operations, with the company placing a strong emphasis on its responsibility for people, society, and the environment. Lidl GB is passionate about working with British producers and sources two thirds of its products from British suppliers.

The Schwarz Group, which operates worldwide as a retail group, generated a turnover of €154.1 billion in the financial year 2022.

For more information about Lidl GB visit https://corporate.lidl.co.uk/