Lidl Austria appoints Michael Kunz as new CEO

Lidl Austria has appointed Michael Kunz as its new CEO with effect from 1 August 2024.

Kunz will replace Alessandro Wolf in this new position, the retailer added.

Kunz is a seasoned professional with 20 years of experience in retail.

In 2011, he started his career at Lidl Switzerland as a regional manager.

Before moving to Austria, Kunz worked as managing director of a regional discount company in Sévaz, Switzerland.

He joined Lidl Austria in 2020 as managing director for sales and logistics.

Other changes in the Management Board

Kunz will replace Alessandro Wolf, who will take up the position of division director at the Lidl Foundation from September 2024.

In his new role, Wolf will be responsible for several countries and will play a key role in shaping their development.

Nicholas Pennanen, who was previously appointed to succeed Wolf, will remain as CEO of Lidl Switzerland.

Elsewhere, Benny Klein will move to Lidl Austria from Lidl Switzerland in August to take up the role of managing director for sales and logistics.

Klein currently serves as Regional Managing Director of Lidl in Switzerland.

He will be succeeded in Switzerland by Sven Joller as regional managing director.

Lidl Austria

According to GfK data, Lidl Austria recorded a 0.6% increase in market share last year and had a 5.9% market share.

It was added that local companies that cooperated with the discounter generated over EUR 1.1 billion in added value, including EUR 500 million from the export of local food to other countries.

Lidl relies on Austrian suppliers and producers for almost 50% of the food products sold in its stores throughout the country.