Europe-based discount retailer Lidle has opened its biggest regional distribution centre (RDC) in Luton in the United Kingdom, the first of its warehouses to feature automation.

In another first, the warehouse’s delivery fleet will be 100% fuelled by biogas created from food waste.

The GBP300 million (USD375 million) centre will deliver more than 9,400 pallets a day to 150 Lidl stores.

Lidl regional director Jennifer Davidson says the 1.2 million sqft. (111,484 sqm) centre will create up to 1,500 jobs for the local community.

The warehouse has solar panels capable of generating 2,000,000 kWH’s of electricity annually and Lidl says at certain times of the year the panels will supply 100% of the facility’s power. 

Lidl GB chief development officer Richard Taylor says: “The fact that Lidl's largest RDC in the world is here in Great Britain speaks for itself not only in terms of us needing to meet the growing demand from customers but also in terms of our ambition to grow that demand in the future.” 

Jeremy Hunt, the United Kingdom’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, says: “It’s fantastic to see Lidl investing in the UK and creating thousands more well-paid jobs.”

Lidle, part of the Schwarz retail group, aims to have 100% of its fleet diesel-free by 2030.

The retailer has opened 19 stores in the United Kingdom this year, after opening more than 50 in the country in 2022.