CMA assessing Aldi/Lidl for Large Grocery Retailer designation

UK CMA Publications

Published March 12th, 2026

Detected March 13th, 2026

Summary

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is assessing whether Aldi and Lidl meet the criteria to be designated as Large Grocery Retailers under the Groceries Market Investigation (Controlled Land) Order 2010. The CMA has launched an Invitation to Comment, which closes on April 13, 2026.

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What changed

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is initiating a consultation to determine if Aldi and/or Lidl should be designated as Large Grocery Retailers under the Groceries Market Investigation (Controlled Land) Order 2010. This designation has implications for land use restrictions within the grocery sector. The CMA is seeking views from interested parties, with an Invitation to Comment period closing on April 13, 2026.

Regulated entities, particularly those within the grocery retail sector, should review the CMA's assessment criteria and consider submitting responses by the deadline of April 13, 2026. Failure to respond may mean their views are not considered in the CMA's provisional decision, expected in July 2026, and final decision, expected in September 2026. While this is a consultation and not a final determination, it is a critical step that could lead to new obligations for the designated retailers.

What to do next

Review the CMA's assessment criteria for Large Grocery Retailer designation.
Submit comments and relevant information to the CMA by April 13, 2026.

Source document (simplified)

Potential designation of Aldi and Lidl under the Groceries Market Investigation (Controlled Land) Order 2010

The CMA is assessing whether Aldi and/or Lidl meet the criteria to be designated as a Large Grocery Retailer under the Groceries Market Investigation (Controlled Land) Order 2010.

From: Competition and Markets Authority Published 12 March 2026 Case type: Markets Case state: Open Market sector: Not applicable Opened: 12 March 2026

Indicative timetable

| Date | Action |
| --- | --- |
| September 2026 | CMA publishes final decisions |
| July 2026 | CMA reaches provisional decisions |
| 13 April 2026 | Invitation to Comment closes |
| 12 March 2026 | Launch of Invitation to Comment |

Case information

12 March 2026: The CMA is seeking views on whether Aldi and/or Lidl meet the criteria to be designated as a Large Grocery Retailer under the Groceries Market Investigation (Controlled Land) Order 2010.

Invitation to Comment: closes 5pm on 13 April 2026

Find out more about this Invitation to Comment and how to respond:

Invitation to Comment (PDF, 149KB) (12.3.26) All responses must be accompanied by a non-confidential version of the submission for publication by the CMA. Responses should be submitted on or before 5pm, Monday 13 April 2026.

Contacts

clo2026@cma.gov.uk Any media enquiries should be directed to our Press Office: 020 3738 6460, press@cma.gov.uk

Personal information

Your name and contact details form part of your personal data. In collecting, receiving, storing, accessing and using your personal data, the CMA, as controller, is processing your personal data. The CMA processes personal data in accordance with data protection law.

The CMA will process any personal data you provide in line with UK data protection law, as explained in our Personal Information Charter. Information and personal data provided in response to this Invitation to Comment may be subject to requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. In responding to such requests, we will consider any confidentiality representations you make. We will also be mindful of our responsibilities under the data protection legislation referred to above and under the Enterprise Act 2002.