Planned Lidl in Gozo ‘won’t impact’ shops
Lidl is proposing to build a supermarket in Xewkija.
The proposed Lidl store in Xewkija will have “no undue impact” on the shops and stores in Victoria centre, according to a retail impact assessment report.
The report, requested by a planning board, said there was no undue impact on the convenience trading position of existing convenience floor space in the town.
“In reaching this conclusion, we are mindful that the centre has experienced significant recent investment, has a low vacancy rate, and benefits from high footfall,” the report said.
A decision on the application, filed by the German supermarket chain, is expected next week against a recommendation to approve. Lidl, which already has five supermarkets in Malta, has earmarked a 4,800 square metre site for development.
Of this, 70 per cent falls within the development limits of the Xewkija Industrial Estate, while a remaining triangular area is outside the development zone.
The supermarket structure will take up around 50 per cent of the area while the scheduled part will have “soft landscaping” through the planting of scattered trees.
The majority of the floor space, 70 per cent, will be dedicated to convenience goods, which include food, drinks and tobacco, amounting to 706 square metres and 30 per cent or 302 square metres for items such as books, clothing, hardware and toiletries.
The report said the project, creating 20 jobs, would satisfy the need for a large discount supermarket in Gozo and would “add to the diversity and range of food shopping provision on the island”.
The maximum travel distance to the store from any direction is around seven kilometres – a comfortable driving distance, according to the report.
It is estimated the store would have a turnover of €5.82 million a year at 2015.
Even so, the primary town centre “is expected to experience a 4.8 per cent increase in trade over the period to 2015, while stores outside the centre will experience an increase in trade of 5.3 per cent,” the report said.
Gozitans from Victoria and its surrounding villages were likely to use Lidl for a combination of main food shopping – their weekly shopping trip – and top-up shopping.
Smaller trips were likely to take place in conjunction with trips to Victoria and elsewhere for goods such as fresh fruit and vegetables.
With shops with a high turnover, such as those in Victoria, “it is highly unlikely that this level of trade diversion would have any discernible impact on any one store or on the town centre as a whole”.
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Dickkens Vince
Feb 11th, 18:39
Come on Gozo grow up and move forward instead of backward, i can still remember when i was living in the UK, the corner shops had the same argument when we heard of Tescos, Sainsbury, Morrisons, Lidl -Aldi many more moving in, now everyone is prospering people are happy to shop where they like as long as they save money, lets face it Gozo is still living in the dark ages prices are high etc.,
david debattista
Feb 12th, 08:27
Look if Gozo wants a lidil. Gozo will have one but it is because Gozo wants one, not because you are telling us to move forward. What is moving forward for you is not moving forward for others especially on such a small island. Gozo or the Gozitans is not you living in the UK, nor are we the UK ! It will cause more unemployment then the 20 jobs * IF TRUE * that it's telling us will create !
Matthew Micallef
Feb 12th, 18:47
Yeah, that's why your country is prospering along with the rest of Europe, because that's what really pays the bills, exporting your manufacturing to emerging markets.
Ronnie Callus
Feb 11th, 17:16
Why not it does not impact on shops ??? because the Gozitans does not have a car to reach LIDL outlet. ??for sure it will do as it did in Malta. Go and ask the shop owners or those who had to close due to the reduced purchasing. Get a mind !!
D Schembri
Feb 11th, 12:58
I think its not Lidl opening in Gozo that shoul be discussed in today's spirit of free competition, its the use of virgin land. Use exisiting derelict buildings instead.
Astrid Vella
Feb 11th, 12:46
@Knight & Isaac: if you think Lidl wont affect small Gozitan shops,then you obviously dont know that the DEVELOPERS' OWN ASSESSMENT admitted that Lidl in Gozo will divert €1.81million from grocery stores in Rabat & €3.17 million from village stores
ANTHONY PAVIA
Feb 12th, 16:38
Of course Lidl would! It is to be expected. Just as much as other operators, large and small, are expected to give the consumer a good deal and value for their euro! Let us be clear, Lidl in Malta took most business from other large operators and very little from the smaller village grocers. There were very, very few small grocers that closed shop, just due to Lidl.
Joe A. Borg
Feb 11th, 12:29
€5.82 million turnover!!
The Gozitan population is 29,000
€ 5,820,000.00 / 29,000 = € 200.69 per person per year and you call this no impact?
If there are 50 shops in Gozo, it will mean they loose €116,400 per year !!
But then Gozitans don't but from Gozo as they come to Malta for their shopping as it is cheaper!!
John Azzopoardi
Feb 11th, 12:15
Progess must continue to take place in gozo and give gozitans a choice., However it will be foolish if one believes that it will not have an impact on other stores. Yes it will. These type of things happen in all democracies and in free market economies. Now,look at the current situation.. 3 supermakets on one road in victoria...Crai, Arkadia and Duke. Well, one more wont hurt.
Astrid Vella
Feb 11th, 12:05
@Isaac,Knight &Davidson:if expats are moving to Malta to have better shops,then they chose Gozo for the wrong reasons.As Ms.Knight says"The majority of us expats do not care about any impact Lidl would have on Gozo' - that doesn't reflect very well on the expat community does it?Can't you even reason that it makes far more sense to locate the Lidl in the empty premises next door than on fields?
Carmel Camilleri
Feb 11th, 11:40
I have been to Lidl in Malta several times. As a Gozitan who resides in Gozo i noticed the huge bargains there are at Lidl. Why all this fuss about not having such stores come to Gozo? Everyone will have the choice to choose from where you make your purchase.
Competition is healthy!!! I hope that Lidl will open soon an outlet in Gozo.
william cauchi
Feb 11th, 11:14
Claire, progress is when most of the small village shops see their turnover reduced to nothing and close down.
When the center of the villages becomes a ghost town, we will call that PROGRESS.
As somebody who travelled extensively in th USA you will find dozens of similar situations, where all business has moved out of town and it's scary to walk in the town centre. That's progress
Astrid Vella
Feb 11th, 12:17
Well said Will! There's no reason to go as far as the USA - just go down to the south of Malta where Lidl is concentrated and see how many small grocers have shut down,forcing villagers to have to drive to even buy a carton of milk! What about the old folk who don't drive,is that progress?Is that what we want for Gozo? Abroad there is a backlash against these mega-markets that have ruined towns
Robert Cassar
Feb 11th, 12:18
yes but we have to admit that these small shops are expansive
Robert Cassar
Feb 11th, 10:54
why not make one in Mellieha?
Seems we people of the North are being forgotten now!
Mano' Xerri
Feb 11th, 10:46
i don't see why all this fuss about another addition to Gozo's attraction,
all i know is that this particular supermarket is always busy,the soon they shelve up the goods a few minutes later are empty again, cause many >young families<* are now looking for bargains & what is left in their purse for the rest of the week, i shopped in Gozo but for the same items at lidl i am better off, I swear.
Claire Busuttil
Feb 11th, 10:04
this is called PROGRESS.....and not even the gozitans can stop it.
Peter Murray
Feb 11th, 10:02
PS Who commissioned this "report"-as requested by a unknown PLANNING BOARD and what organisation undertook this survey(?)-that determined and established this obtuse conclusion of " no undue impact" on shops in Gozo when in competition with a major supermarket?
Peter Murray
Feb 11th, 09:58
It is ridiculous to claim that any major supermarket in Gozo would not impact negatively on other local shops .However,in mitagtion it would impact most postively on consumers -for price and choice and that should be the argument.Why not let the Gozitans decide?
david debattista
Feb 11th, 15:05
PETER MURRAY AND WHAT ABOUT QUALITY !
C Mercieca
Feb 11th, 09:32
u il "hidden agenda" ta dawn l-erbgha minn nies li qed jaghmlu il-bsatan fir-roti biex il-Lidl ma jinfetahx hadd ma jsemmihom?!! Ilhaqna ir-ridikulagni u gibna il-ftuh ta supermarket kwistjoni politika. Smajna kull skuza possibli (sahansitra li supermarket se jtellef it-turizmu!!!). Kullhadd jivvinta l virgin lands fej jaqbillu, kullhadd juri ritratti li jaqbillu. U nwahhlu fl-ambjent!!
Matthew Xuereb
Feb 11th, 09:30
Why do they have to use virgin land rather than use the old milk factory which is just 50 metres away?????
Claire Busuttil
Feb 11th, 10:07
agreed
ANTHONY PAVIA
Feb 11th, 11:25
Good point!
Pieter vandorp
Feb 11th, 09:21
This is fantastic news, thank God we don't have to travel to Malta twice a week to shop at Lidl the best one is near your airport , we have many lidl outlets in Holland and Germany, also another called Aldi both are just as good and believe me shopping in Gozo is a bit more then what we pay back home, Lidl is reasonable and is always full of customers both in Malta and in Holland my home country.
Alex Ciantar
Feb 11th, 09:09
Ask all the shops that had to close in Malta because of LIDL.That is all the assessment you need.
TuffyDavies Davidson
Feb 11th, 10:39
I understand your frustration cause i think u are one of these shop keeps naturally sticking together yeah? then again squire if the prices they are charging would be a lot lower then lidls' then they wouldn't have to close down yeah? actually i heard from a local source that supermarkets chip together to keep this very competitive food outlet out of Gozo..whether its true or not seems obvious.
Mr mike Knight
Feb 10th, 23:31
Why on God's earth are the Gozitans so afraid of competition, i do not think there will be any impact at all, another reason is regardless whether Lidl is in Gozo or not many of us foreigners who reside on the island do travel to Malta specially to shop at Lidl's, primarily cause its cheaper and fresher products straight from the Italian market on a daily bases. In the UK we have 100's of lidls.
wendy isaac
Feb 10th, 23:07
The majority of us expats do not care about any impact Lidl would have on Gozo if any which i very much doubt, however i know of many expats who moved from Gozo to Malta just because the shops on Gozo are very limited, Lidl would be an ideal supermarket and much cheaper then the few hand full of shops on the island, what Gozo needs is competition & Lidl is a candidate, Malta has 6 Lidl's~ GOZO-0
wendy isaac
Feb 10th, 23:07
The majority of us expats do not care about any impact Lidl would have on Gozo if any which i very much doubt, however i know of many expats who moved from Gozo to Malta just because the shops on Gozo are very limited, Lidl would be an ideal supermarket and much cheaper then the few hand full of shops on the island, what Gozo needs is competition & Lidl is a candidate, Malta has 6 Lidl's~ GOZO-0
Astrid Vella
Feb 10th, 22:58
The Assessment confirms that the setting up of Lidl in Gozo will divert €1.81million from grocery stores in Rabat &€3.17 million from village grocery store.Is that what you call no impact?
Mario Mercieca
Feb 11th, 09:29
Ara mela fis supermarkets tifhem int?..fil powerstations ma tifhimx,
C Mercieca
Feb 11th, 09:40
Ooooh we are deeply touched by your concern Astrid. You care so much for Gozitans, hux? So why didnt you give a care in this world when the other huge supermarkets in Gozo opened??? Is Lidl the ONLY supermarket which will have an impact on other stores?
Mano' Xerri
Feb 11th, 14:35
Ah i see so that is the reason then the Gozitans are AFRAID(CAPS) to see a lidl supermarket, they are only thinking of themselves typical Gozitans & not the young couples with a family that find it difficult to make ends meet,come now Astrid think of others and not just your pockets, people have the right to shop where and whenever they wish if they could save on the weekly food bills, be honest !
Salvinu Buttigieg
Feb 11th, 15:27
Sorry to contradict you Astrid Vella, but the only impact there will be effects the young married couple with small children. Shops in Malta & Gozo are far more expensive then Lidls besides fresher produce,no sooner the goods are on the shelves are fast moving always full of customers, plenty to choose from at bargain prices with an Italian & continental mentality,& No Ifs & Buts. THINK OF OTHERS.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Feb 11th, 16:11
Yes, Astrid is thinking of others- of those families who own a store, and have done so for many years, and will be driven out of a job and loss of capital Don't these people count? And what about the environmental impact? I know some people could not care less, but Gozo should remain as green and unspoilt as much as possible if it is to continue to attract tourists.
Astrid Vella
Feb 12th, 06:55
You are talking about young families and I am talking about old people AND young families. Dementia can be offset by active aging and socialisation? Local grocers are a focus of this. Are young mums going to jump in the car every time they need a carton of milk, because the local shop has shut down?Even less exercise than ever! If it is so necessary,then put it in an existing empty building!
david debattista
Feb 10th, 22:33
We have no need for such a super market in Gozo It will have a negative impact on all small family run businesses and small shops We have a classic case of a super market at Mgarr Gozo , where another supermarket open a few meters further up the road killing the older market . Who the hell do you think you're kidding, you are always trying to paint a positive picture and negating the true facts.
ANTHONY PAVIA
Feb 11th, 11:23
Perhaps these older, longer established operations had got used to easily milking their captive clients. Time to let the competition loose, and join the EU, in practice and not just in begging mode. Gozitans have been weaned on this "social services" life ideal, and all for nothing fever for far too long. Time to join the 21st!!
david debattista
Feb 11th, 13:47
1 Anthony Pavia milking their captive clients, rubbish we have more then enough supermarkets and small shops in Gozo Good once too ! Having Lidil will not improve the financial situation of the gozitan it will kill small businesses.Anthony I live in Germany and we have them all, some you don't even know about. Quality wise all that comes out from Malta and Gozo is far far better . Ask any German.
david debattista
Feb 11th, 13:58
2 you want lidil because you want to be competitive and join the 21st FINE will it help to improve the financial situation of the Gozitans just because it will create 20 jobs OH GOODY GOODY 20 jobs will solve all our problems You are full of propaganda! it will not help Gozo, it will not improve quality and gozitans are hardworking people They are not the kind to be found in begging mode.
david debattista
Feb 11th, 14:01
3 Anthony Pavia what are you not tell us . What really is you point or agenda !
ANTHONY PAVIA
Feb 12th, 16:34
Absolutely nothing to hide Mr Debattista. I hold no brief from anyone but myself, and I happen to firmly believe in competition, profit and free enterprise. Full stop!! Incidentally, that is the very reason most Maltese voted to join the EU. If Lidl was such a monster, why would it have taken 22 to 25% of the Malta market and FORCED competition onto other retailers????
Pauline Peterson
Feb 10th, 22:26
Maybe Lidl will keep the others (with their sometimes unfair prices) on their toes.
Carmel Camilleri
Feb 10th, 21:46
I have been to Lidl in Malta several times. As a Gozitan who resides in Gozo i noticed the huge bargains there are at Lidl. Why all this fuss about not having such stores come to Gozo? Everyone will have the choice to choose from where you make your purchase.
Competition is healthy!!! I hope that Lidl will consider opening an outlet in Gozo
Carmel Camilleri
Feb 10th, 21:43
I have been to Lidl in Malta several times. As a Gozitan who resides in Gozo i noticed the huge bargains there are at Lidl. Why all this fuss about not having such stores come to Gozo? Everyone will have the choice to choose from where you make your purchase.
Competition is healthy!!! I hope that Lidl will consider opening an outlet in Gozo
Peter Murray
Feb 10th, 21:37
Absolute poppycock nonsense claims as of course it will impact-and negatively-on local shops... but not consumers
D Caruana
Feb 10th, 20:48
Nahseb li dan l-investitur ghandu drit jiftah dan is-supermarket F`Ghawdex. X`hemm izomm dan il-progett milli jsir???? Jixraq li bhal ma` hemm ghazla fil-bejgh f`Malta, f`Ghawdex ukoll jehtieg li n-nies ikollhom ghazla fil-prodotti. Hafna Ghawdxin sfortunatament jispiccaw imorru jixtru Malta min dawn is-Supermarkets, biex ikollhom ghazla fil-kwalita.
david debattista
Feb 10th, 22:38
D Caruana Is he one of your relatives . We have more then enough markets on TINY GOZO !
david debattista
Feb 11th, 08:54
D Caruana Give us a break !
ANTHONY PAVIA
Feb 11th, 11:15
Mr Debattista, are you by any chance involved in this business on Gozo? Or have relatives that are, or in any way connected to the grocery/drinks retail, wholesale and import business in Gozo?
Joe Grech
Feb 10th, 20:37
The populatation of Gozo - and the actual island - being so small, Lidl will have an enormous negative impact on retailers not just in Victoria but in the entire island.
Remember Lidl does not sell just food - it sells LITERALLY anything
ANTHONY PAVIA
Feb 11th, 11:18
N, not true. Lidl does not sell literally anything! In fact quite the opposite, as Lidl shoppers often need to visit other establishments to cover their shopping needs. Also, the article mentions "tobacco", which I have never seen for sale at any local Lidl outlet.
david debattista
Feb 11th, 14:15
Anthony Pavia, I live in Germany and also in Gozo for the past 25 years I am in a better position then you or better still, YOUR KIND to see where ALL THIS IS GOING ! Are you by any chance involved in this business on Gozo or have relatives that are or in any way connected to the grocer/drinks retail wholesale and import in Gozo ANTHONY PAVIA . IT WILL KILL SMALL FAMILY BUSINESSES FACTS FACTS
Please choose the reason of your report below: