Discounter Lidl is providing sales and regional managers with iPads equipped with a proprietary app showing shelf layouts, new listings and de-listings and staff scheduling in stores.

The app – known internally as ‘Lidl Mobile Office’ – is designed to free managers’ time and reduce paperwork and was designed for Lidl by German software developer Excelsis. Lidl has so far deployed more than 300 iPads and expects to hand out more than 1,000 across Germany by this autumn. The initiative will also be rolled out internationally.