Skopje, 3 September 2025 (MIA) - A cornerstone for a new retail facility of the German company Lidl was laid Wednesday in the Municipality of Aerodrom in Skopje. The new 3,438-square-meter facility, to be built on a lot along Vidoe Smilevski-Bato boulevard, will include a market area of 1,200 square meters and 57 parking lots.

“These are not only numbers, it is a message that the company is entering the Macedonian market with serious intentions with a vision for a long-term growth and development,” Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said addressing the cornerstone laying ceremony. 

According to Mickoski, Macedonia with this investment gets new energy and new jobs all the while confirming “we are the right destination for investors.” The project, he added, is the beginning of a new era in retail introducing new standards, more competitiveness and better conditions for the citizens.

The prime minister mentioned that the Lidl investment in Macedonia was stalled and deadlocked, which was unlocked with the formation of the new government and treated as one of the top priorities.

“Lidl’s management accepted our suggestion that there should be more Macedonian products on Lidl’s shelves, which is crucial because it is way to support local economy and to increase consumers’ trust that Macedonian products are the best. Macedonian products not only will be sold on Lidl’s shelves in Macedonia, they can already be found on Lidl’s shelves in surrounding countries. 2024 recorded five million euros in exports, we expect it to increase to ten million euros and to keep on rising,” said Mickoski.

Lidl is already building its first market in Skopje, located in the Municipality of Gazi Baba.

Lidl executive representative Milena Dragiska-Dencheva said that the facility in the Municipality of Aerodrom will be built according to modern international standards with an accent on energy efficiency.

“The goal is to provide our consumers with top shopping experience and affordable prices. Development of the market economy is very important and as a Lidl representative, I’d like to note our long-term commitment to the citizens. We didn’t come here to make business, we are dedicated to growth and development and to improving the quality of life of all citizens all the while supporting local producers, whose products are already being sold in other Lidl markets,” said Dragiska-Dencheva.

She thanked central and local authorities for their support.

“I would be our honor, in a few months, to open the doors for the citizens of the Municipality of Aerodrom and the citizens of Macedonia. We hope that we will earn your trust and become your preferred store for shopping,” she stated.

Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Aleksandar Nikoloski and Aerodrom municipal mayor Dejan Miteski also attended the cornerstone laying ceremony.