WHEN WILL THE FIRST "LIDL" STORES OPEN IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA?

The German retail giant Lidl is actively preparing to enter the market of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the first store openings expected by the end of next year, according to BiznisInfo.ba.

The construction of Lidl’s central distribution center in Lepenica near Sarajevo, a project worth around 100 million euros, is nearing completion. This key facility will serve as the main artery of Lidl’s logistics network throughout the country and is expected to be finished by the end of this year.

In parallel, Lidl has already completed several store buildings — including two in Sarajevo, and one each in Mostar, Gračanica, and Bijeljina — with many more locations currently under construction.

The company is building stores in East Sarajevo, Livno, Bihać, Gradiška, and Modriča, and has purchased land in cities such as Zvornik, Zenica, and Trebinje. The first plot has also been secured in Banja Luka, with negotiations ongoing for additional sites. In the coming period, Lidl plans to expand its presence further with stores in Laktaši, Prnjavor, Doboj, Živinice, and other cities.

According to sources, Lidl’s plan is to open 10 to 15 stores simultaneously in major cities, followed by a gradual expansion across the country. The company aims to eventually operate at least 30 stores throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Stores that are not ready for the initial launch wave will be opened later as construction is completed. In some cities, Lidl is facing difficulties acquiring suitable land plots, which has delayed development in those areas.

Lidl’s capital investment in Bosnia and Herzegovina has now reached half a billion convertible marks. Despite operating at a loss last year — 23.5 million KM, up from 18 million KM in 2023 and 19.1 million KM in 2022 — the company attributes these losses mainly to employee salaries and operational costs as it prepares for full-scale entry.

The value of Lidl BH’s assets surged from 114 million KM in 2022 to 259 million KM by the end of last year, with the majority — around 255 million KM — tied up in property, plants, and equipment. Overall, the total assets of the company nearly doubled in one year, reaching 306 million KM.