LIDL BEGINS CONSTRUCTION OF FIRST STORE IN BANJA LUKA

German retail giant Lidl has officially started construction of its first store in Banja Luka, located in the Petrićevac neighborhood.

A team from "Nezavisne novine" visited the site and confirmed that earthworks are currently underway as part of the initial phase of construction. The store is being built across from the large "Centrum" shopping complex, on land owned by the Catholic monastery in Petrićevac.

This investment marks the entry of one of Europe’s largest retail chains into the market of Republika Srpska and is expected to bring new job opportunities. The beginning of construction is a significant step in Lidl’s expansion across Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the company has already begun similar activities in other cities.

Nezavisne recalls that media reports from April stated Lidl plans to open a network of stores across BiH by the end of next year, six of which are expected to be in Banja Luka.

At that time, it was reported that the company had secured only one location in Banja Luka—Petrićevac—while negotiations were ongoing for other sites. The source added that a construction permit for the Petrićevac location would be issued soon.

As for the remaining sites, the source stated that intermediaries hired by Lidl had identified several suitable locations, and business negotiations were ongoing. One potential store is planned at the site of the former Motel Internacional in the Lazarevo neighborhood, where talks are nearing conclusion. However, negotiations for a location in the Borik neighborhood—currently housing an Audi service center—have failed.

Lidl is also interested in a location in the Ada neighborhood, near the Tropik market, though formal negotiations with the landowners have not yet begun.

By the end of 2026, Lidl aims to open all of its planned stores in BiH. Although the initial plan was to establish six stores in Banja Luka, current developments suggest the company would be satisfied with opening three by the target date, with a fourth in preparation and two additional locations to be determined later.

In addition to Banja Luka, Lidl has reportedly secured agreements to open stores in Laktaši, Gradiška, Prnjavor, Doboj, Zvornik, two in Bijeljina, and one in Trebinje. The store in Laktaši is expected to be built near the Nestro petrol station at the entrance to the town.