The Schwarz Group – owner of the Lidl and Kaufland brands – closed the 2024 financial year with total revenues of 175,4 billion euros, up 4,9% compared to the previous year. Despite global economic challenges, the group created around 20.000 new jobs, including 4.000 in Germany, bringing the total number of employees to 595.000.
Lidl confirmed its position as the main driver, with revenues up 5,3% to 132,1 billion euros, while Kaufland reached 35,2 billion (+2,9%). The retail network expanded with 300 new stores, for a total of approximately 14.200 stores worldwide.
On the environmental front, the PreZero division generated €3,9 billion in revenue (+5,4%), driven by expansion in the German recycling market. The group's manufacturing companies, including the new nut roasting plant in Rheine and the beverage plant in Derby, increased their turnover by 9,5% to €4,6 billion.
The digital arm Schwarz Digits also maintained stable growth, with revenues of 1,9 billion thanks to cloud, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence solutions, supported by partnerships with Google, SAP and ServiceNow.
Investments rose 7,5% to 8,6 billion euros in 2024, of which 3,3 billion in Germany. For 2025, the group plans to increase investments to 9,6 billion, strengthening its logistics and digital infrastructure in Europe.
“We have grown sustainably thanks to the extraordinary commitment of our employees,” said Gerd Chrzanowski, general partner of the group.
