Lidl US is once again getting a new CEO, report says

Discounter Lidl US is changing its CEO again, according to the German trade publication, Lebensmittel Zeitung on Monday. It will be the fifth time since Lidl arrived in America in 2017 that it has named a new CEO.

Michal Lagunionek, who was named CEO at Lidl U.S. in 2021 is taking a "short sabbatical" with plans to return to Europe in the fall, the German trade publication reported on Monday.

Lidl US did not immediately respond to a WGB request for comment regarding Lagunionek’s apparent departure.

Lagunionek, who still lists himself as president and CEO on his LinkedIn page, is a grocery veteran with over 20 years of experience.

Prior to his arrival in America, Lagunionek served as president of Lidl Poland. Lagunionek took over as the new CEO of Lidl US following the resignation of Johannes Fieber, after three years in charge.

Since coming to the U.S. six years ago, Lidl US has experienced challenges.  Owned by the Schwarz Group, Lidl US earlier this month closed 11 of its grocery stores in the eastern part of the country.  

And in February, Lidl US laid off about 200 workers at its corporate headquarters in Arlington, Virginia.

Globally, Lidl operates more than 12,000 stores and is active in 32 countries, employing more than 360,000 employees.  Lidl US operates supermarkets across Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey.