A BELOVED grocery store chain has confirmed a new store opening as a part of its wider expansion of 255 new locations.
The new budget-friendly grocery store, which is often pitted against Publix for the cheapest deals, is opening very soon.
2
A press release has revealed that Lidl has opened a brand new spot in its ambitious 2025 growth plans.
And you can celebrate the new spot with a host of giveaways and special deals.
At the new store, you can grab free samples, Lidl swag and a wide range of deals.
The first 100 customers in line will get Lidl gift cards ranging from $5 to $100.
Shoppers can also expect new deals every Wednesday.
The new store is coming to Freehold, New Jersey and is opening on Friday, May 9.
It will initially be open from 8am to 9pm daily.
This suggests that to get your gift card, you need to show up earlier rather than later for a chance.
The press release says: “Are you ready for fresh, high-quality groceries at incredibly low prices?
“The moment you’ve been waiting for is almost here!
“We’re excited to announce the grand opening for our Freehold location is Friday, May 9th.”
The new Lidl is located at 91 Trotters Way.
RETAIL CHANGES
But as the retail lord giveth, he also takes away.
The US Sun recently reported that another major retailer is making big moves, and it drastically changes how you will shop.
Sam’s Club has made a massive change to its curbside feature, which allows shoppers to get their groceries delivered to their car while they wait.
It was announced via an email to customers on April 29 that Sam’s Club will no longer allow you to check-in to curbside using a text message.
You will now have to use the Sam’s Club app, as the rule came into effect on Tuesday, May 6.
Before this announcement, shoppers were able to use the store’s website, park nearby and send a message to a Sam’s Club associate to bring out their groceries.
The new rules force you to download the Sam’s Club app through the App Store or Google Play.
One of the first concerns is that it could make using curbside harder to use for those not savvy with phones, like the elderly.
Latest self-checkout changes
Retailers are evolving their self-checkout strategy in an effort to speed up checkout times and reduce theft.
Walmart shoppers were shocked when self-checkout lanes at various locations were made available only for Walmart+ members.
Other customers reported that self-checkout was closed during specific hours, and more cashiers were offered instead.
While shoppers feared that shoplifting fueled the updates, a Walmart spokesperson revealed that store managers are simply experimenting with ways to improve checkout performance.
One bizarre experiment included an RFID-powered self-checkout kiosk that would stop the fiercely contested receipt checks.
However, that test run has been phased out.
At Target, items are being limited at self-checkout.
Last fall, the brand surveyed new express self-checkout lanes across 200 stores with 10 items or less for more convenience.
As of March 2024, this policy has been expanded across 2,000 stores in the US.
Shoppers have also spotted their local Walmart stores restricting customers to 15 items or less to use self-checkout machines.
Sam’s Club is making other techy changes, planning to scrap self-checkouts in favor of Scan & Go.
But shoppers are largely against the change, with one person writing on social media: “I appreciate having a real person check out my items, and scan and go is terrible if you have a lot of items.
“And then what happens if you happen to have cash and want to pay that way? See ya, Sam’s Club.”
And another added: “I don’t get paid to check myself out.
“I tried it at Walmart once and found their self check out scanners malfunction quite a bit and scan the wrong (higher) price.
“Since Sam’s Club is the same company it would mean theirs are the same.”
2