Lidl's contribution to the Slovak economy reaches a record EUR 2.18 billion

The total economic value created and induced by the activities of the Lidl retail chain in Slovakia continues to grow. In 2025, it reached a record EUR 2.18 billion, according to the latest socio-economic study by Forvis Mazars.

"Value added in the retail sector is becoming an increasingly discussed topic in Slovakia. That is why we find it particularly interesting that Lidl's estimated additional effect ranks among the more significant ones in the Slovak economy: every euro Lidl distributed into the Slovak economy in 2025 has the potential to generate a further 59 cents for domestic recipients," says Martin Dolinský, ESG Expert at Forvis Mazars and one of the study's authors.

Significant year-on-year growth

Forvis Mazars in Slovakia prepared the study at Lidl's request for the fifth time. Since measurements began in 2021, the chain's value added has grown every year.

"The total direct and indirect economic impact rose from EUR 1.01 billion in 2021 to EUR 1.38 billion in 2025, an increase of more than 35%. Compared with last year, the current edition shows growth of almost EUR 87 million," explains Martin Dolinský.

Each edition of the study also brings new insights. "This time we found that throughout its presence on the Slovak market, Lidl kept hiring new employees even in periods when unemployment in Slovakia was rising," he adds.

Impacts down to district level

To quantify the economic contribution, Forvis Mazars applies an internationally recognised methodology that allows a transparent assessment of an organisation's direct and indirect economic effects.

"To quantify Lidl's 'induced' multiplier effect on the Slovak economy, we use the Leontief production function, which also captures wider economic linkages within the national economy, together with selected disclosures from the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Stakeholder Capitalism Metrics (SCM)," notes Martin Dolinský.

Using established methodologies makes the results comparable with other analyses. "Where our approach differs is that we also publish results free of estimates, based solely on accounting data, the so-called direct and indirect value, before we add the estimated additional effects," he explains. The study maps Lidl's economic impact down to the level of individual Slovak districts, with particular focus on the least developed ones.

The methodology can be applied to companies across sectors. "Multiplier effects can be estimated in every sector of the economy, as they rest on the premise that the output of a given sector could not exist without inputs from other sectors," says Martin Dolinský.

Benefits for business, the state and society

In 2025, Lidl increased its economic contribution across all beneficiary groups: employees, the private sector, municipalities, the state and the non-profit sector. The largest beneficiary was the private sector, with more than EUR 920 million.

The state benefits mainly through taxes paid, towns and municipalities through local taxes and payments to municipal companies, and the non-profit sector through financial and in-kind donations. Investment in human capital also forms a significant share: in 2025, Lidl spent almost EUR 157 million on its employees.

Forvis Mazars also illustrates the multiplier effects with concrete examples. "In this year's edition, our case study looked at Lidl's purchases of dairy products from a local producer. These payments of almost EUR 2 million are an investment in agriculture and the processing industry at the same time. They help build working relationships between these sectors, and that cooperation strengthens the position of the businesses involved in other contracts beyond those with Lidl," explains Martin Dolinský. Lidl also exports this supplier's products abroad, bringing the region income that does not depend solely on domestic demand.

An analysis that adds to a company's standing

Many companies around the world now commission this type of analysis. "First and foremost, the study assesses and quantifies the socio-economic benefits of a given company. By mapping payments to beneficiaries, we can identify specific sectors in specific regions that grow thanks to their economic ties with our client. We can quantify the socio-economic benefit precisely and make a well-founded estimate of its further effects on the economy," says Martin Dolinský.

The study shows that a company's activity produces not only profit but also value for many other stakeholders. Companies can also use it in their sustainability reporting as a qualitative step beyond mandatory requirements such as the ESRS.

On the company's side, the project requires cooperation in providing selected net payments for the period under review. "The rest of the work is up to us. For example, we map the flow of payments to beneficiaries and to specific regions. In our experience, clients should allow about two months after the financial statements are closed to prepare the data," adds Martin Dolinský.