Lidl Coming to Pooler (Savannah: appointed, buy, closing)

[ajc100890]

According to the Planning and Zoning Commission's May 23rd and June 13th agendas, Lidl is planning a store in Pooler. The site is currently the wooded area on Park Avenue behind the former Cancun / proposed Dunkin Donuts. This is directly across from Publix's existing store at Pooler Marketplace.

Lidl is a German grocery store, similar but somewhat more upscale and larger than Aldi. They've recently built a distribution center in North Carolina and are aggressively expanding in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Looks like Food Lion and Bi-Lo need to step up their game. With Bi-Lo closing more stores than they're opening in the Savannah CSRA and Hilton Head Metro, I'd be surprised if the Pooler store remains open much longer.

[gentlearts]

Originally Posted by ajc100890

According to the Planning and Zoning Commission's May 23rd and June 13th agendas, Lidl is planning a store in Pooler. The site is currently the wooded area on Park Avenue behind the former Cancun / proposed Dunkin Donuts. This is directly across from Publix's existing store at Pooler Marketplace.

Lidl is a German grocery store, similar but somewhat more upscale and larger than Aldi. They've recently built a distribution center in North Carolina and are aggressively expanding in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Looks like Food Lion and Bi-Lo need to step up their game. With Bi-Lo closing more stores than they're opening in the Savannah CSRA and Hilton Head Metro, I'd be surprised if the Pooler store remains open much longer.

That is indeed a really juicy scoop! I am not familiar with Lidl, but I've been to Aldi. I think it is interesting that the Aldi's/Lidl stores seem to build right next to popular upscale stores.

So, I just looked up Lidl and they look a lot like the new Lucky's store. I hope they don't have that annoying quarter-to-unlock-the grocery cart-thing like Aldi's.

[Carolina Knight]

Originally Posted by ajc100890

According to the Planning and Zoning Commission's May 23rd and June 13th agendas, Lidl is planning a store in Pooler. The site is currently the wooded area on Park Avenue behind the former Cancun / proposed Dunkin Donuts. This is directly across from Publix's existing store at Pooler Marketplace.

Lidl is a German grocery store, similar but somewhat more upscale and larger than Aldi. They've recently built a distribution center in North Carolina and are aggressively expanding in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Looks like Food Lion and Bi-Lo need to step up their game. With Bi-Lo closing more stores than they're opening in the Savannah CSRA and Hilton Head Metro, I'd be surprised if the Pooler store remains open much longer.

Limited assortment/discount grocer Lidl is in the process of constructing its Alamance County, North Carolina, distribution center. It has secured sites and announced future stores in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia with more to follow. These stores are projected to open in 2018.

Food Lion and Bi-Lo have ran their courses in the Savannah area. I do not project their stores to be open in several years.

[PJMaddoxRox]

We use Aldi up here for over half our shopping and I was disappointed that we'll lose it when we relocate. This however sounds great! We aren't moving till 2018 so I guess we shall see if Lidl becomes our substitute!

[Newsboy]

Originally Posted by PJMaddoxRox

We use Aldi up here for over half our shopping and I was disappointed that we'll lose it when we relocate. This however sounds great! We aren't moving till 2018 so I guess we shall see if Lidl becomes our substitute!

I don't know why Aldi is not in Savannah yet. They have stores all over the rest of Georgia. We do have Lucky's Market whch a lot of people seem to like.

[PJMaddoxRox]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

I don't know why Aldi is not in Savannah yet. They have stores all over the rest of Georgia. We do have Lucky's Market whch a lot of people seem to like.

I hope Aldi gets its butt in gear and opens a store down there! The amount of $$ we save on food there is substantial. Publix and Kroger are pretty comparable to the "regular" grocery stores around here.

[Carolina Knight]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

I don't know why Aldi is not in Savannah yet. They have stores all over the rest of Georgia. We do have Lucky's Market whch a lot of people seem to like.

Aldi is not in Savannah yet? That is a surprise. I doubt Chatham County will remain an Aldi desert in the foreseeable future.

[gentlearts]

The LIDL site plan was just approved at the last meeting, so hopefully it will get going quickly.

[GA Survivor]

I heard through the grapevine that Aldi is scouting a possible location in Pooler. I did a little research, these look like smaller stores around 15,000 sq. ft. versus the 45,000 for the new Publix and the giant Kroger Marketplace at 140,000. What are these stores like? Is it true you have to pay to get a shopping cart and get your money returned when you put it back?

[DanielAvery]

Well, it's not a major investment--a quarter--and it's a great way to get people to return their carts (as opposed to leaving them all over the parking lot).

I've only been to the Aldi near me once. They remind me of Big Lots, as they take advantage of good buys on certain products, and have shelves where the merchandise constantly shifts/changes. Invariably the products are store brands as opposed to nationally advertised brands (thus the low price), though you see a few familiar things mixed in. Some basic staples are always there (bread, milk, etc.) but a lot of other things like snacks, produce, drinks and canned goods typically come and go as they get a good deal. It's not the kind of place where you take a shopping list and expect to find everything you need, and if you are brand-loyal you might be greatly disappointed. This is more like a hunting expedition-type store, where you go with the hope of stumbling upon a really good deal (and usually do).

Other interesting touches: the cashiers get to sit in chairs, and they don't bag anything. You bring your own bags (reusables, or just plastic bags you got somewhere else) and bag it yourself. They might sell bags--I've heard they do, but didn't see anyone buy one when I was there. I like that concept, since people get snippy if their bags aren't packed just the way they want them packed. As mentioned earlier, you also 'rent' a shopping cart. You drop a quarter into a slot that unlocks the cart, and when you push the cart back into the mechanism, you get a quarter back. Again, a great touch that gives people motivation to return the carts.