Ultimate Guide: How to Shop Lidl Online Like a Pro (2024)

Lidl, the popular German discount supermarket chain, has expanded beyond its brick-and-mortar stores, offering a convenient online shopping experience. Whether you’re looking for their famous weekly offers, home goods, clothing, or DIY tools, Lidl’s online shop provides a wide array of products. However, navigating their online platform might seem a little different than other retailers. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of how to buy from Lidl online, ensuring you get the best deals and a smooth shopping experience.

Understanding Lidl’s Online Presence

Before diving into the step-by-step instructions, it’s crucial to understand that Lidl’s online presence varies by region. Not all countries have a fully operational online store with home delivery. Some might offer click-and-collect services only, while others primarily feature their non-food special offers. Always check your country’s specific Lidl website to confirm available services and product ranges. This guide primarily focuses on countries with a full online store offering home delivery.

Key Things to Know Before You Start:

• Geographic Limitations: Online shopping availability is not universal. Verify if Lidl online shopping is available in your specific region.
• Product Variety: The online range may differ from the in-store selection. Some in-store exclusive products might not be available online and vice versa.
• Delivery Options & Charges: Delivery costs and available options vary. Check delivery fees before committing to a purchase. Some regions might have minimum order value requirements.
• Account Creation: You’ll need to create a Lidl online account to make purchases.
• Payment Methods: Lidl accepts various payment methods, usually including credit/debit cards and possibly digital payment options.
• Returns Policy: Familiarize yourself with their returns and refund policy before making a purchase.

Step-by-Step Guide to Buying from Lidl Online

Now, let’s get into the specifics. Follow these steps for a seamless online shopping journey:

Step 1: Accessing the Lidl Online Shop

1. Open Your Web Browser: Launch your preferred web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, etc.).
2. Visit the Lidl Website: Go to your country’s specific Lidl website. The URL usually follows the format www.lidl.[country code] (e.g., www.lidl.co.uk for the UK, www.lidl.de for Germany).
3. Locate the Online Shop: Look for a clear link or button that directs you to the online shop. This might be labeled as “Online Shop,” “Shop Now,” or similar. It’s often found in the main navigation menu, header, or within a highlighted section of the homepage. Sometimes, depending on your region, you might need to click on a specific category like “non-food” to see the online shopping options.

Step 2: Creating a Lidl Account (If You Don’t Have One)

1. Find the Account Login/Registration Area: Look for a “Login,” “My Account,” or “Register” link, usually located at the top right corner of the page, next to the shopping basket icon.
2. Click on Register or Sign Up: If you don’t have an account, click the button or link that says “Register,” “Sign Up,” or something similar.
3. Fill in the Required Information: Complete the registration form. You’ll typically need to provide your:
   • Email Address: Use a valid email address.
   • Password: Create a strong and secure password.
   • Personal Details: Name, address, phone number, and other necessary contact information.
   • Accept Terms and Conditions: You’ll need to agree to Lidl’s terms and conditions and privacy policy.
4. Verify Your Email (If Required): Lidl might send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions to activate your account, usually by clicking a confirmation link.

Step 3: Browsing and Searching for Products

1. Explore Categories: Use the navigation menu or the main page categories to browse through the various product sections (e.g., Home & Kitchen, Fashion, DIY, Garden).
2. Use the Search Bar: If you’re looking for something specific, type keywords into the search bar, which is generally located at the top of the website.
3. Filter and Sort Options: When viewing product listings, you’ll usually find filter and sort options to narrow down your search. You can filter by:
   • Price: Set a price range to see products within your budget.
   • Category: Further refine categories if the broad product area doesn’t give specific results.
   • Brand: See products of certain brands.
   • Color, Size, Materials, and other features: Filter by specific features depending on the category.

   Sort your search results by things like

   • Popularity
   • Price (Low to High and High to Low)
   • Newest Arrivals
4. View Product Details: Click on individual product images to see more details. You’ll find product descriptions, high-resolution images, sizes, customer reviews (if any), availability and other relevant information. Pay close attention to product descriptions to ensure they meet your needs.

Step 4: Adding Items to Your Shopping Cart

1. Choose Quantity: Select the desired quantity of a product. Use the quantity selector (usually a + and – button or a dropdown menu) to increase or decrease the quantity.
2. Click “Add to Basket” or similar: Once you’ve chosen the quantity, click the “Add to Basket,” “Add to Cart,” or a similar button near the product listing.
3. Review Your Basket: After adding items, you can usually view your shopping cart. You’ll typically see a cart icon at the top of the page. Click on this to review the items you’ve added.
4. Make Changes (if needed): In the shopping cart, you can:
   • Change Quantities: Update the number of each item.
   • Remove Items: Delete items from your basket you no longer want.
   • See Total Price: Check the total price of your selected items, including applicable taxes and shipping fees (shipping usually will be calculated later).

Step 5: Proceeding to Checkout

1. Click on “Proceed to Checkout” or Similar: Once you’re happy with your cart, click the button that takes you to the checkout process, usually something like “Proceed to Checkout,” “Checkout,” or “Pay Now”.
2. Verify Your Delivery Address: Confirm that your delivery address is correct, or add a new one if required. If the delivery address is not available in your region, the platform might alert you at this point.
3. Choose a Delivery Option: Select your preferred delivery method (standard delivery, express delivery, click and collect, etc.).
4. Review Delivery Costs: Check the delivery fees that apply to your chosen method.

Step 6: Payment

1. Select a Payment Method: Choose your preferred payment method from the available options. Common options include:
   • Credit/Debit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express (availability varies).
   • PayPal: Usually available.
   • Digital Wallets: Apple Pay, Google Pay (availability varies).
   • Other Local Options: Some regions might offer other localized payment solutions like Klarna, Sofort, or iDEAL.
2. Enter Payment Details: Enter the necessary payment details accurately (card number, expiry date, CVV code, etc.).
3. Review Your Order: Before confirming, carefully review your order summary. This will show:
   • All Items You are Ordering
   • Total Cost with Delivery Charges Included
   • Delivery address
   • Billing address
   • Payment method
4. Confirm Your Order: If everything is correct, click the “Confirm Order,” “Place Order,” or similar button. This will finalize your purchase.

Step 7: Order Confirmation and Tracking

1. Order Confirmation Email: After placing your order, you should receive an email confirmation. This will contain your order number, a summary of your purchase, and estimated delivery time.
2. Order Tracking (If Available): Lidl might provide a tracking link to check the delivery progress of your package. You will probably get this tracking information either in your confirmation email or separately by email. Alternatively, the order tracking might be available in your account on their website.
3. Prepare for Delivery: Make sure someone will be available to receive the delivery, especially if you’ve ordered larger items.

Tips for a Successful Lidl Online Shopping Experience

• Check for Special Offers: Lidl is known for its weekly offers and discounts. Check the online shop’s special offer section to see what deals are available.
• Be Aware of Delivery Times: Note the delivery timeframes given by the online store. This might vary depending on the product and your location.
• Read Product Reviews: If available, read product reviews to gain insights from other shoppers. Although Lidl reviews are rare, look for them when they are there.
• Use Wish Lists: If you see something you want but aren’t ready to buy, add it to your wish list. This will help you track items you might want later.
• Manage Your Account: Keep your account details up-to-date and review your order history.
• Sign up for Newsletter: Sign up for the Lidl newsletter to stay informed about new offers and products.
• Contact Support: If you encounter any issues, don’t hesitate to contact Lidl’s customer support.
• Be Patient with Popular Items: Popular sale items might sell out quickly. Try to be early or patient, if you are looking for something specific that might be sold quickly.
• Be Mindful of Returns: Review Lidl’s return policy and time limits for returns and refunds before purchasing your items.
• Check Delivery Restrictions: Some items, like very large furniture, or items that require refrigeration might not be available for home delivery. Check if the items you want can be shipped to your area.
• Security: Be aware of your security when shopping online and make sure the payment method you use is secure and your device or network is also secure.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Website Not Working: If the website isn’t loading, check your internet connection, try a different browser, or clear your browser cache. Sometimes restarting your modem or device might help.
• Items Out of Stock: Popular items often sell out quickly. Try checking back later or consider a substitute item. If an item is out of stock, the website will usually clearly state this.
• Payment Issues: Double-check your payment information. Contact your bank if there are problems with your card. If the payment issues persist, try using a different payment method.
• Delivery Issues: If your package is late or you have other delivery issues, contact Lidl’s customer service for support and information.
• Problems with Registration: Double-check the spelling of your email address and check if you have confirmed your account in your email after registering.

Conclusion

Shopping at Lidl online can be convenient and cost-effective. By following this guide and the tips provided, you’ll be able to navigate their online store with confidence and make the most of their offers. Remember to always check your specific country’s website for up-to-date information and enjoy your online shopping experience!