In 1932, Josef Schwarz became a partner in Südfrüchte Großhandlung Lidl & Co., a fruit wholesaler, and he developed the company into a general food wholesaler.

In 1973, the first Lidl store opened in Germany, employing 3 people and stocking around 500 product lines.

By 1977, the number of Lidl stores in Germany had reached 33.

Lidl initiated its foreign expansion by entering the French market in 1988, expanding its presence beyond Germany.

The company opened 300 stores across Germany, marking a significant expansion in the country.

Lidl made its debut in the UK market in 1994, leading to a rapid expansion with over 400 stores currently operating and more in the pipeline.

In 1996, Lidl GB opened its second Regional Distribution Centre in Livingston, further expanding its operational capacity in the UK. This strategic move allowed for more efficient distribution of products to stores.

The first Lidl store in Northern Ireland opened in 1999. It marked the beginning of Lidl's expansion in the region, eventually leading to the establishment of more than 40 stores and a regional distribution centre in Nutts Corner.

In the year 2000, the first Lidl Ireland stores opened, marking the beginning of Lidl's presence in Ireland.

In 2002, Lidl GB introduced balers to its warehouses, leading to increased recycling uptake and cost reduction. This initiative demonstrated the company's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

In 2003, Lidl GB welcomed one million customers into its stores, reflecting the growing popularity and reach of the brand in the UK market. This achievement highlighted the company's ability to attract and retain a large customer base.

Lidl GB opened its first high street store in Edinburgh in 2004, expanding its retail presence in urban areas. This move allowed the company to reach a broader customer demographic and enhance accessibility to its products.

In 2005, Lidl GB introduced daily waste and recycling returns as part of its sustainability efforts, aiming to reduce its carbon footprint. This initiative demonstrated the company's proactive approach towards environmental conservation.

In 2008, Lidl faced accusations of spying on their workers, including listening to private phone calls and monitoring their activities outside of work. The company defended these actions as measures to prevent theft and identify suspicious behavior.

In October 2009, Lidl launched 'Lidl Movies' in the UK, providing an online rental service for DVDs. This move aimed to compete with existing services in the market, showcasing Lidl's entry into the entertainment sector.

Lidl was featured in a Telegraph article on August 21, 2010, highlighting its impact on the retail industry.

In January 2012, Lidl introduced bakeries in their stores across Europe, offering freshly baked products like bread and pastries. This initiative aimed to meet customer demand for in-store baked goods.

Sven Seidel was appointed CEO of the company in March 2014, after the previous CEO Karl-Heinz Holland stepped down.

In June 2015, Lidl announced the establishment of its United States headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, marking a significant step in its expansion into the U.S. market.

In September 2016, Ronny Gottschlich, who had run Lidl GB for six years, unexpectedly left the company. He was known for his approach focusing on marketing and public relations, which included providing employee benefits not required by law.

Seidel stepped down from his position in February 2017 after Manager Magazin reported he had fallen out of favour with Klaus Gehrig, who has headed the Schwarz Group since 2004.

In June 2017, Lidl opened its first stores in the United States, starting in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and expanding to other mid-Atlantic cities, as part of its strategy to establish a presence on the East Coast.

Lidl celebrated the opening of its 700th store in the UK on February 15, 2018, marking a significant milestone in its expansion.

In May 2019, Lidl US collaborated with Boxed.com to experiment with a home delivery service utilizing the online retailer's technology.

In August 2020, Lidl announced its intention to open an additional 50 stores in the U.S. by the end of 2021, demonstrating its commitment to further growth in the American market.

In April 2021, Lidl in Ireland introduced a program where customers could receive coupons for free pads or tampons each month to address period poverty.

In April 2022, Lidl decided to postpone its expansion plans in Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict resulting from the 2022 Russian invasion, reflecting the company's response to geopolitical events.

In October 2022, animal welfare NGOs in Europe accused Lidl of a 'chicken scandal' after investigations revealed severe welfare issues at Lidl supplier farms in Germany, Spain, Italy, and Austria. The footage showed sick and injured chickens living in poor conditions, leading to calls for Lidl to adopt higher welfare standards.

In March 2023, Lidl was announced as the sponsor of the 2023 World Cycling Championship held in Scotland.