CMA targets Aldi and Lidl land agreements

On 7 August 2026 the Competition and Markets Authority set out provisional findings on how land-use rules should apply to discount supermarket chains Aldi and Lidl in the UK. The regulator concluded at this stage that both groups should be treated in the same way as other large grocery retailers when it comes to rules governing land connected to their stores.

The provisional view places Aldi and Lidl within the same land-use framework that already covers the country’s major supermarket operators. The CMA’s findings form part of its wider oversight of competitive conditions in the grocery sector, with a particular focus on how ownership and control of sites can shape local market outcomes.

Land-use rules in this context relate to the way retailers structure agreements tied to specific sites and surrounding land. The CMA’s review is concerned with how such arrangements can affect the ability of competitors to operate nearby and therefore influence the level of competition in local areas.

By proposing that Aldi and Lidl be brought within the same regime as other large grocers, the regulator is seeking to ensure consistent treatment of major players. The provisional stance reflects the role that these discount chains now play across UK grocery markets and the impact their property arrangements can have on rival store openings.

The findings published on 7 August 2026 are provisional and will be subject to further consultation before any changes take effect. Stakeholders will have the opportunity to respond to the CMA’s proposals and provide feedback on how the suggested approach could influence competition and consumer choice.

Following this consultation period, the CMA is expected to move towards a final decision on whether Aldi and Lidl should formally be covered by the same land-use rules as other large supermarkets. Any confirmed change would then shape how future site-related agreements are structured for these discount retailers.